Eli5 Why the clouds are around that height and not lower in the atmosphere?

Question

Eli5 Why the clouds are around that height and not lower in the atmosphere?

In: 8

Answer 1

Water vapor (gaseous H2O) exists all throughout our atmosphere in most places. The amount of water vapor x volume of air can hold is determined largely by the pressure that air is under. As you go higher in the atmosphere the pressure drops. Thus the air can hold less water vapor and water molecules start to condense into clouds.

Any higher and the air has already lost enough water vapor. Any lower and the air pressure is enough to keep the water vapor in the air.