A sinking parcel of air compresses and ____ as it encounters increasing pressure. This causes a cloud to quickly _____.

When a sinking parcel of air compresses due to increasing atmospheric pressure, the proper understanding of what occurs during this process is essential. As the air descends, it experiences higher pressure, which leads to the compression of the air parcel. The compression of air causes it to warm up, as the molecules are pressed closer together, increasing kinetic energy.

As the temperature of the parcel of air rises, its ability to hold moisture also increases, which can lead to the evaporation of cloud droplets or the cessation of cloud formation. Therefore, the warming effect associated with compression does not promote cloud formation; rather, it can lead to the dissipation of existing clouds due to the decrease in relative humidity.

This understanding is critical when considering thermodynamic processes and how they influence cloud behavior. The dynamics of air parcels relate significantly to weather patterns and cloud development, which is important knowledge in the field of meteorology and air traffic control, as it can affect flying conditions.