EAPS 10200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Cloud Condensation Nuclei, Dew Point, Supersaturation
18 Oct 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
When the air is saturated (100% rh) condensation occurs. Happens when the air reaches the dew point. For water in the air to condense, it needs something to condense onto. Aerosols, such as dust, smoke, or salt act as cloud condensation nuclei, or something solid for water to condense on high in the atmosphere. Without these nuclei the air would need to be supersaturated (rh above. Resulting cloud droplet are microscopic in size. They are so small the wind and general movement of the air keep them suspended in air. If the temperature in the cloud is below freezing the water droplets will freeze. Clouds can be made of water, ice, or both. Water droplets are much smaller than raindrops are much smaller than raindrops and therefore need to grow before falling as rain. Clouds are the most obvious weather pattern. They tell us a lot about the future weather and what is happening in the atmosphere.
