On the Minimum Size of Particle for Nucleation in Clouds

S. Twomey Division of Cloud Physics, CSIRO, Sydney, Australia

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Abstract

Particles grown from molecular size by ultraviolet irradiation of initially particle-free air were found not to nucleate condensation at slight (∼1%) supersaturations until sufficient time had elapsed. By monitoring the size of the growing particles by use of Nuclepore filters a size/critical supersaturation relationship was obtained and compared with the predictions of nucleation theory. Substantial agreement with the theory resulted.

Abstract

Particles grown from molecular size by ultraviolet irradiation of initially particle-free air were found not to nucleate condensation at slight (∼1%) supersaturations until sufficient time had elapsed. By monitoring the size of the growing particles by use of Nuclepore filters a size/critical supersaturation relationship was obtained and compared with the predictions of nucleation theory. Substantial agreement with the theory resulted.

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