Precipitation
Definition
Precipitation refers to any form of moisture that falls from the atmosphere onto Earth's surface. This can include rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Analogy
Imagine precipitation as nature's way of delivering packages. Just like how packages are dropped off at our doorstep, precipitation is nature's way of delivering much-needed moisture to replenish Earth's surface.
Related terms
Condensation: Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air cools down and changes back into liquid form, forming clouds or fog before eventually leading to precipitation.
Water Cycle: The water cycle describes how water continuously moves between different reservoirs on Earth - including oceans, land surfaces, and the atmosphere - through processes such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Rain Shadow Effect: The rain shadow effect occurs when moist air rises over a mountain range, cools down, and releases most of its moisture on the windward side. As a result, the leeward side of the mountain experiences less precipitation and can be considered a 'shadow' in terms of rainfall.
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