What phenomenon occurs when warm air rises and cools, leading to condensation?

The phenomenon where warm air rises and cools, leading to condensation, is known as convection. This process is crucial in meteorology because it directly contributes to cloud formation and other weather patterns.

In convection, warm air is less dense and tends to rise. As it ascends, the pressure decreases, which causes the air to cool. When the temperature of the rising air drops to its dew point, the moisture within the air condenses into tiny water droplets, forming clouds. This process is fundamental to understanding how weather systems develop, including storms and precipitation.

The other options represent different processes that do not directly explain the scenario described. Evaporation refers to the process of liquid turning into vapor, which is the opposite of what occurs in this context. Radiation involves the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, not as a direct result of air temperature changes and condensation. Precipitation is the result of condensation but does not describe the initial process of warm air rising and cooling. Understanding convection is essential for grasping how weather systems function and evolve.