It has been calculated that in the Indian Ocean three-quarters of
an inch of water is carried off from the surface of the sea in
one day and night; so that as much as 22 feet, or a depth of
water about twice the height of an ordinary room, is silently and
invisibly lifted up from the whole surface of the ocean in one
year. It is true this is one of the hottest parts of the earth,
where the sun-waves are most active; but even in our
own country many feet of water are drawn up in the summer-time.
What, then, becomes of all this water? Let us follow it as it
struggles upwards to the sky. We see it in our imagination first
carrying layer after layer of air up with it from the sea till it
rises far above our heads and above the highest mountains. But
now, call to mind what happens to the air as it recedes from the
earth. Do you not remember that the air-atoms are always trying
to fly apart, and are only kept pressed together by the weight of
air above them? Well, so this water-laden air rises up, its
particles, no longer so much pressed together, begin to separate,
and as all work requires an expenditure of heat, the air becomes
colder, and then you know at once what must happen to the
invisible vapour, -- it will form into tiny water-drops, like the
steam from the kettle.
Pages:
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110