All types of precipitation are made of mainly water (H2O), but can contain other substances. An example of precipitation that is not pure water is acid rain, which can be caused when sulfur dioxide is released after burning coal. The sulfur dioxide can dissolve in clouds, turning the water acidic. This then causes the pH of the rainwater to decrease. The state (solid or liquid) in which the precipitation falls depends on atmospheric conditions such as temperature and pressure.
In this activity, students will identify and describe different types of precipitation. They should focus on the main four, but may also describe acid rain and diamond dust, which is another form of precipitation which occurs sometimes in locations that are very cold. Diamond dust is composed of very small ice crystals that reflect light as they fall through the air, appearing like specks of diamond.
To further your students’ understanding about how water moves on our planet, check out our resources on the Water Cycle.
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Student Instructions
Create a spider map that shows examples of the different types of precipitation.