Question

Which of the following statements is / are correct regarding tornadoes?

1. Tornadoes are usually formed from powerful thunderstorms in environments where warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air
2. Tornadoes are classified using the Geiger counters
3. Tornadoes are often visible as a funnel-shaped cloud, with the narrow end touching the Earth's surface.

• A. i, iii
• B. i only
• C. ii, iii
• D. iii only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. i, iii

Tornado

• A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.
• It is often visible as a funnel-shaped cloud, with the narrow end touching the Earth's surface.

Formation:

• Tornadoes usually form from powerful thunderstorms in environments where warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air.
• This collision creates instability in the atmosphere, leading to the development of a rotating updraft.

Intensity and Scale:

• Tornadoes vary in intensity, with the most severe ones featuring wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour (322 kilometers per hour).
• They can range in size from several yards to over a mile in diameter.

Classification:

• Tornadoes are classified using the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) based on the damage they cause.
• The scale ranges from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest), considering factors such as wind speed and the extent of damage to structures.