Question: Assuming the sky then clears, relative humidity drops significantly, and the temperature stays around −5 °C throughout, by which process will the mass of the solid deposits on the tree canopy surface mainly decrease?
A. Melt into droplets and drip off
B. Directly transition to water vapor and diffuse
C. Continue to deposit (sublime onto the surface) so it “apparently decreases”
D. Become compacted into denser solid and thus decrease
Clues:
1. The branches and trunks of the trees are coated in a thick layer of white, solid material, identified as frost or rime ice.
2. The ground is covered with snow.
3. A road or path running through the trees has tire tracks in the snow.
4. The trees are deciduous and have no leaves, which is characteristic of winter.
5. The sky is clear and bright blue.
Answer: B
Category: Physics