Chapter 7

Water and
Atmospheric
Moisture

Humayun Ashraf
Robert W. Christopherson
Department of Geography
Charlie Thomsen
University of Gujrat
Water and Atmospheric Moisture
Water on Earth
Unique Properties of Water
Humidity
Atmospheric Stability
Clouds and Fog
 Water on Earth
Worldwide equilibrium
Distribution of Earth’s water today
Land and Water
Hemispheres

Figure 7.2
Ocean and Freshwater Distribution

Figure 7.3
Unique Properties of Water
Heat properties
Phase change
Sublimation
Latent heat
Vaporization
Condensation
Heat properties of water in nature
Latent heat of sublimation
Three States of Water

Figure 7.5
Uniqueness of Ice Forms

Figure 7.6
Phase Changes

Figure 7.7
 Humidity
Relative humidity
Saturation
Dew point
Expressions of relative humidity
Vapor pressure
Specific humidity
Instruments
Relative Humidity

Figure 7.8
Water Vapor in the Atmosphere

Figure 7.10
Water Vapor in the Atmosphere

Figure 7.10
Humidity Patterns

Figure 7.11
Saturation
Vapor
Pressure

Figure 7.12
Maximum
Specific
Humidity

Figure 7.13
Humidity Instruments

Figure 7.14
 Atmospheric Stability
Adiabatic processes
Stable and unstable atmospheric
conditions
Buoyancy and Gravity

Figure 7.15
Adiabatic Processes

Figure 7.17
Adiabatic Cooling

Figure 7.17
Adiabatic Heating

Figure 7.17
 Adiabatic Processes
Dry adiabatic rate
10 C°/1000 m
5.5 F°/1000 ft
Moist adiabatic rate
6 C°/1000 m
3.3 F°/1000 ft
Atmospheric Temperatures and Stability

Figure 7.18
 Three
Examples
of Stability

Figure 7.19
 Clouds and Fog
Cloud Formation Processes
Cloud Types and Identification
Fog
Cloud Formation Processes
Moisture droplet
Cloud-condensation nuclei
Moisture Droplets

Figure 7.20
Raindrop and Snowflake Formation

Figure 7.21
Cloud Types and Identification

Figure 7.22
Cirrus

Figure 7.22
Cirrostratus

Figure 7.22
Altocumulus

Figure 7.22
Altostratus

Figure 7.22
Nimbostratus

Figure 7.22
Stratus

Figure 7.22
Cumulus

Figure 7.22
Cumulonimbus

Figure 7.22
Cumulonimbus Development

Figure 7.23
 Fog
Advection fog
Evaporation fog
Upslope fog
Valley fog
Radiation fog
Advection Fog

Figure 7.24
Evaporation Fog

Figure 7.25
 Valley Fog

Figure 7.25 Figure 7.26

Evaporation and Radiation Fog

Figure 7.28
Radiation
Fog

Figure 7.27
 End of Chapter 7

Geosystems 7e
An Introduction to Physical Geography

Robert W. Christopherson
Charlie Thomsen