Computing Clouds Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Clouds are categorized in three groupings depending on how high they are and how high they reach into the troposphere, the lowest part of Earth's atmosphere (though it reaches up to an average of thirteen kilometres above the Earth's surface). While some clouds can extend beyond this range, they generally do not share the same naming system as seen in this quiz (and in the troposphere). Clouds at that altitude are generally only seen at certain times of day and in certain types of light.

Clouds in the troposphere are typically classified into genuses and species, and the highest of these are those under the cirrus genus. These clouds are often at such an altitude that their water content freezes into ice and, in large concentrations, they typically produce large storms. Cirrocumulus clouds, within this genus, often appear across large spans as though a rippling blanket.

Altocumulus clouds are found midway in the troposphere and appear, often, as billowy or pillowy. Normally, these aren't associated with severe weather events. On the more billowy front, the cumulonimbus cloud is a much larger, towering cloud that brings rain. Generally, these will appear white (and large) from the sides, but grey underneath, portending a storm.

Looking at the rainier side of things, nimbostratus clouds almost always bring rain. Appearing only a few kilometres up, these drop lower when they drop rain, appearing as loose and dark grey. Stratocumulus clouds are even lower, appearing as thick, water-heavy clouds that quickly produce precipitation.

The other options here are a bit more unique. Stratus, as a cloud genus, refers to one of the lowest forming clouds, and it's one that many interact with regularly, since it's colloquially known as fog. Arcus clouds are often created alongside cumulonimbus when a rough storm is created; it appears when warm wind forces upward along the side of a cloud, bringing a heavy drop in temperature. Pileus clouds also appear as accessory clouds to the cumulonimbus, often capping the highest part of a taller cloud and formed by warm air creating a new and separate cloud. Finally, mammatus clouds form underneath cumulonimbus clouds, appearing like lumpy protrusions, though they are also indicative of storm cells.

As for the incorrect options, altocirrus is not a cloud-- the word combines two existing families but doesn't exist. Calcaneus refers to the heel bone in the human foot while Arcturus is a star in the constellation Boötes. The word 'modulus' is used throughout science and mathematics, sometimes referring to absolute values of numbers and sometimes being used to measure stiffness in physics. A colobus is a type of black-and-white monkey found in Central Africa. Lastly, anything anhydrous is without water, and clouds are essentially just water, so it's right out.