Answer to Question #70293 in Physics for hamid

Question

How aerosol particles help in cloud formation (binding)?
(ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSICS)

Answer 1

When clouds form they contain millions of water droplets in each cubic meter of air. Each of the cloud droplets forms on a particle; scientists call a collection of particles an aerosol. These particles are small, about 100 times smaller in diameter than the thickness of human hair. In cloud formation, one particle produces one water droplet, so there are the same number of particles as there are water droplets.
The aerosol particles come from natural processes as well as human activities. They are made of soil, dust, and sea salt, or from air pollution from cars, power plants, and factories. During cloud formation, water vapor (which is also contained in air) condenses on the aerosol particles. Since there is one particle for every cloud droplet, the number of particles affect the number of water droplets contained within a cloud. If there is a high number of aerosol particles in the atmosphere, then a high number of cloud droplets can form.