Question

image courtesy of robert simmon, nasa
the type of heat transfer that causes the air to circulate and form such clouds is called ______.
a. convection
b. conduction
c. radiation
d. evaporation

Explanation:

To determine the heat transfer type for cloud formation:

• Convection involves fluid (air) movement due to temperature differences (warmer air rises, cooler sinks), driving cloud - forming circulation.
• Conduction transfers heat through direct contact, not relevant for large - scale air circulation in cloud formation.
• Radiation is heat transfer via electromagnetic waves (e.g., sun’s heat), not responsible for air circulation here.
• Evaporation is the change of liquid to gas, not a heat transfer mechanism for air circulation.

So, convection is the correct heat transfer type for air circulation in cloud formation.

Answer:

A. convection