Cloud condensation nuclei

prefLabel
  • Cloud Condensation Nuclei
definition
  • Small aerosols that serve as the sites upon which water vapor condenses in the atmosphere. 
broader
Abstract from DBPedia
    Cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs), also known as cloud seeds, are small particles typically 0.2 µm, or one hundredth the size of a cloud droplet. CCNs are a unique subset of aerosols in the atmosphere on which water vapour condenses. This can affect the radiative properties of clouds and the overall atmosphere. Water requires a non-gaseous surface to make the transition from a vapour to a liquid; this process is called condensation. In the atmosphere of Earth, this surface presents itself as tiny solid or liquid particles called CCNs. When no CCNs are present, water vapour can be supercooled at about −13 °C (9 °F) for 5–6 hours before droplets spontaneously form. This is the basis of the cloud chamber for detecting subatomic particles. The concept of CCN is used in cloud seeding, which tries to encourage rainfall by seeding the air with condensation nuclei. It has further been suggested that creating such nuclei could be used for marine cloud brightening, a climate engineering technique. Some natural environmental phenomena, such as the one proposed in the CLAW hypothesis also arise from the interaction between naturally produced CCNs and cloud formation.

    雲粒(うんりゅう、くもつぶ、英: Cloud condensation nuclei)とは、雲を構成する水滴や氷結晶(氷晶)のこと。なお、氷晶を含めない場合もあり、この場合は雲粒と氷晶を総称して雲粒子などと呼ぶ。

    (Source: http://dbpedia.org/resource/Cloud_condensation_nuclei)

data publication(s) found by GCMD Science Keywords)