Clouds & Particles

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2. Particles

1. Aerosols as CCNs

Which factors determine whether an aerosol can act as a cloud condensation nucleus?

 
2. More aerosols

What may happen to cloud formation and composition if the amount of aerosols in the atmosphere increases?

3. Contrails

The white trails in the wake of airplanes (condensation trails, contrails) are actually small clouds.

a) Why do you think clouds are formed behind airplanes?

What may we infer about saturation points and about concentration of aerosols in the air around the contrails? 

b) Through a pair of binoculars, have a close look at an aircraft making contrails. Can you see a gap between the plane motors and the beginning of the contrail behind?

How will you explain this gap?

Authors: Ellen K. Henriksen and Camilla Schreiner - University of Oslo - Norway. Scientific reviewer: Justine Gourdeau - LaMP Clermont ferrand - France - 2004-01-13. Last update: 2004-03-27.