Why do some planes leave trails in the sky but not others?
It's not the plane, it's the air the plane is travelling through. The more humid the air, the more trails you get. Dry air means fewer contrails.
The Short Answer
It's not the plane, it's the air the plane is travelling through. The more humid the air, the more trails you get. Dry air means fewer contrails. If you see two planes, one leaving a trail and the other not, they are probably travelling at different altitudes with different humidities.
Analysis
Key Concepts: It's, plane, travelling
This explanation focuses on it's, plane, travelling and spans 50 words across 4 sentences. At 26% below the average General Knowledge explanation (68 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “It's not the plane, it's the air the plane is travelling through.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 4 connected points.
How This Compares in General Knowledge
Ranked #293 of 500 General Knowledge questions by answer depth (top 59%). This is in the concise tier — a focused explanation that prioritizes clarity over exhaustiveness. Many readers prefer this level of directness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why some planes leave trails in the sky but not others?
It's not the plane, it's the air the plane is travelling through. The more humid the air, the more trails you get. Dry air means fewer contrails. If you see two planes, one leaving a trail and the other not, they are probably travelling at different…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar General Knowledge questions?
This is a focused answer at 50 words, ranked #293 of 500 General Knowledge questions by depth. The key concepts covered are it's, plane, travelling.
What approach does this answer take to explain some planes leave trails in the sky but not others?
The explanation uses direct explanation across 50 words. It is categorized under General Knowledge and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.