3. According to the passage, which statement is false?

Answer: A

Explanation:

Puffy, cotton clouds are the result of a heating process.

The statement that puffy, cotton clouds are the result of a heating process is false. According to the passage, clouds are formed through the process of condensation, which occurs when water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets.

A) Puffy, cotton clouds are the result of a heating process.

This statement is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that clouds are formed by condensation, a cooling process, rather than a heating one. The formation of clouds involves the cooling of water vapor, leading to the creation of liquid droplets.

B) The compound for a single drop of water is H2O.

This statement is correct. The passage describes that a single drop of water is composed of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms, which is the chemical formula H2O. This aligns perfectly with established scientific knowledge about water's molecular structure.

C) Lake water is produced as a result of the runoff.

This statement is accurate. The passage explains that runoff, which is water that is not absorbed after precipitation, flows across the land and collects in various bodies of water, including lakes. Therefore, this option correctly represents a process described in the passage.

D) Water is an essential element for living things.

This statement is true. The passage asserts that water is necessary to sustain practically all life functions on Earth, thus confirming its essential role for living organisms.

Conclusion

The statement regarding clouds being formed by a heating process is definitively incorrect, as the passage clarifies that condensation is the key process involved in cloud formation. In contrast, the other options correctly reflect the information and concepts presented in the passage, highlighting the critical role of water in natural processes and life on Earth.