Explain how a storm becomes a cyclone.
A cyclone forms through a continuous cycle of processes over warm ocean waters.
When ocean water gets heated, warm and moist air above it rises. As this moist air rises, water vapour condenses to form raindrops, releasing heat back into the atmosphere.
This released heat causes further warming of the ascending air, making it rise even higher and creating an even lower pressure area. Air from surrounding high-pressure regions rushes in to fill this low-pressure area and also starts rising.
The Earth's rotation causes this moving air to spin. This cycle repeats continuously, creating a very low-pressure area with high-speed winds revolving around it.
This spinning system of clouds, winds, and rain is called a cyclone. The centre of the cyclone, called the eye, has the lowest pressure and calm winds, while the surrounding region experiences strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Explanation
The chapter describes the complete cyclone formation process in Section 6.6, explaining how warm ocean water initiates the cycle, how condensation releases heat, how Earth's rotation creates spinning, and how the low-pressure system intensifies.
Solution Steps
Cyclone formation begins over warm ocean waters
Warm moist air rises and water vapour condenses, releasing heat
Released heat causes air to rise higher, creating lower pressure area
Air from surrounding high-pressure regions rushes in and starts rising
Earth's rotation causes the moving air to spin
The cycle repeats continuously, intensifying into a cyclone
The eye of the cyclone has lowest pressure and calm winds, surrounded by strong winds and heavy rainfall