Important Questions Class 8 Chapter 3 Geography Maharashtra Board

Imp Questions For All Chapters – Geography Class 8

Humidity and Clouds

Short Questions

1. What is humidity?

• Humidity is the proportion of water vapor present in the air.

2. What is evaporation?

• Evaporation is the process of converting water into water vapor due to heat.

3. What happens to air’s moisture-holding capacity when temperature increases?

• It increases as warmer air holds more moisture.

4. Why do clothes dry faster in summer?

• Because hot air increases the rate of evaporation.

5. What is absolute humidity?

• Absolute humidity is the amount of water vapor in 1 cubic meter of air.

6. What is condensation?

• Condensation is the process of changing water vapor into liquid.

7. Which clouds indicate a thunderstorm?

• Cumulonimbus clouds indicate a thunderstorm.

8. What are high-altitude clouds called?

• Cirrus, Cirrostratus, and Cirrocumulus.

9. What is cloudburst?

• A sudden, intense rainfall in a small area is called a cloudburst.

10. What is fog made of?

• Fog consists of condensed water droplets suspended in the air.

Long Questions 

1. Why does air in desert regions feel dry?

• Desert regions have very low humidity because of the high temperature and minimal moisture. The lack of water bodies also reduces evaporation, making the air dry.

2. How does temperature affect relative humidity?

• As temperature increases, air can hold more moisture, reducing relative humidity. In cooler conditions, air’s moisture-holding capacity decreases, leading to higher relative humidity.

3. Why do we see droplets on a glass with ice water?

• The cold surface of the glass cools the surrounding air, reducing its vapor-holding capacity. This causes condensation, forming water droplets on the glass.

4. What is the difference between fog and smog?

• Fog is formed by condensed water vapor, while smog is a mix of fog and pollutants like smoke and dust, usually seen in urban areas with high pollution levels.

5. How does condensation occur in nature?

• Condensation occurs when warm, moist air rises and cools, forming clouds. It can also happen at ground level, creating dew, fog, or frost under certain conditions.

6. Why do cumulonimbus clouds bring heavy rainfall?

• These clouds grow vertically and accumulate large water droplets. The strong air currents make the droplets bigger, leading to heavy rain and sometimes thunderstorms or hailstorms.

7. What role do dust particles play in cloud formation?

• Dust particles act as nuclei for condensation, around which water vapor condenses to form tiny droplets. These droplets group together to form clouds.

8. Why does relative humidity change during the day?

• In the morning and at night, when temperatures are lower, humidity is higher. During the afternoon, the temperature rises, increasing air’s moisture-holding capacity and reducing relative humidity.

9. How do land and water affect humidity?

• Coastal areas have higher humidity due to evaporation from water bodies, while inland areas have lower humidity as there is less water to contribute moisture to the air.

10. How is rainfall related to cloud saturation?

• When clouds reach their maximum moisture-holding capacity, excess water vapor condenses into larger droplets. These droplets combine and fall as precipitation in the form of rain or snow.