16 Multiple Choice 5 points Which statement best describes what occurs during the process of precipitation? Water vapor collects and returns to Earth. Ice metals and turns into water vapor. Water droplets form in the sky. Water is absorbed by plants and released into the atmosphere. Multiple Choice 5 points Which statement best explains how air masses move across the continental United States? The trade winds move air masses from west to east. The jet stream moves air masses from the Pacific Ocean across the United States. The Gulf Stream moves air masses from the Atlantic Ocean across the United States. The prevailing westerlies move air masses from west to east.

During precipitation, water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into tiny droplets, growing heavy enough to fall back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This vital process is part of the water cycle, helping to distribute fresh water that sustains life and refills rivers and lakes—nature's way of watering the planet! As for air masses, they are primarily moved by the Earth's rotation and prevailing winds. The prevailing westerlies, specifically, blow from the west, guiding these large bodies of air from the Pacific Ocean across the continental United States, impacting weather patterns. So next time you see the weather changing, remember: it's the winds at work, moving those air masses around like a grand atmospheric dance!