What do clouds primarily consist of?

Clouds primarily consist of liquid water droplets or ice crystals. This formation occurs when water vapor in the air cools and condenses around tiny particles in the atmosphere, such as dust or pollen. When the humidity reaches a certain level, these tiny water droplets or ice crystals cluster together, forming clouds. The presence of liquid water droplets makes clouds visible, while ice crystals may form in colder conditions, particularly in higher altitudes.

The notion that clouds consist mainly of solid particles or gas molecules is incorrect; while clouds do contain some solid particles and water vapor in gaseous form, they are not predominant components. Also, mineral dust may be present in clouds, but it is not a major constituent. The primary makeup of clouds being liquid droplets or ice crystals is essential for weather phenomena, such as precipitation, to occur, which plays a critical role in Earth's water cycle.