Why are condensation nuclei important in the atmosphere quizlet?

Nuclei, solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, are needed in order to form cloud droplets, which when large enough form a cloud. Cloud condensation nuclei promote condensation of water vapor at temperatures above and below the freezing point of water.

How does condensation nuclei particulate matter get into the atmosphere?

Most condensation nuclei are produced by natural and man-made fires over land and by wave action over the oceans. When mixed with the more hygroscopic material, dust and soil particles blown into the atmosphere also are sources of nuclei. See also nucleation.

What role do hygroscopic nuclei play in the atmosphere?

Such hygroscopic salt particles can act as excellent condensation nuclei. They assume the extraterrestrial meteors, by entering the atmosphere, disintegrate into fine dust particles that act as ice nuclei in the formation of cloud and precipitation particles.

What do condensation nuclei have to do with clouds?

Cloud condensation nuclei or CCNs (also known as cloud seeds) are small particles typically 0.2 µm, or 1/100 the size of a cloud droplet on which water vapor condenses. The concept of cloud condensation nuclei is used in cloud seeding, which tries to encourage rainfall by seeding the air with condensation nuclei.

What important role do deposition nuclei play in the formation of a snowflake?

What important role do deposition nuclei play in the formation of a snowflake? When temperatures are below freezing, aerosols serve as deposition nuclei. Water molecules can attach to it and grow into a composite of ice crystals.

Why are condensation nuclei important to the formation of clouds?

The truth is, cloud formation isn’t as simple as it first appears because to understand clouds you must first understand something called condensation nuclei. Condensation nuclei are tiny particles in the air on which water vapor condenses and they are the key to making clouds, fog, haze, rain, and other forms of precipitation.

What happens when water vapor touches a condensation nucleus?

The condensation nuclei provide this surface. The water vapor molecules touch the nuclei and condense into liquid form, forming your cloud droplet. As more and more cloud droplets form, the cloud grows larger and larger. Eventually the droplets get too heavy and are pulled downward as precipitation.

How big are the particles in a condensation nucleus?

Make no mistake, these particles are very small and you likely don’t even notice them. The average condensation nuclei is only about 1/100th the size of a cloud droplet. Because nuclei are made from different materials, they also differ in terms of their ability to form clouds (or fog).

Which is the most efficient form of condensation?

climate: Cloud formation. Among the highly efficient condensation nuclei are sea-salt particles and the particles produced by combustion (e.g., natural forest fires and man-made fires). Many of the larger condensation nuclei over land consist of ammonium sulfate.