Cloud Microphysics 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is critical supersaturation?

A

The lowest supersaturation at which a particle is activated to form a cloud droplet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is CCN

A

Cloud condensation nuclei

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the ability of an aerosol to act as a CCN determined by?

A

-Dry size of particle
-Chemical composition of the particle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the number conc of CCN determined by?

A

-the aerosol number size distribution and chemical properties
-the ambient supersaturation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the resulting cloud droplet size distribution determined by?

A

-the aerosol siE distribution and chemical properties
-the maximum supersaturation achieved in a parcel of air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does hygroscopic mean?

A

Particles can actively attract and absorb moisture from the air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the ideal gas law for dry air?

A

p=ρRT
Where R is gas constant for dry air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the equation for water vapour pressure?

A

e=ρRT
e=vapour pressure
ρ=vapour density
T=temp
R=specific has constant for water vapour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is ε and how do we calculate it?

A

Ratio of dry and water vapour gas constants
ε=Rd/Rv

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is es?

A

The saturation vapour pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is saturation vapour pressure?

A

The partial pressure of water vapour in equilibrium with a plane surface of pure water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is ρvs

A

The saturation vapour density

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How do you calculate SVP?

A

es=Aexp(-B/T)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the relationship between SVP and temperature

A

SVP roughly doubles with every 10 degree rise in temp

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is relative humidity?

A

Ratio of actual vapour pressure to the saturation vapour pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How do you calculate relative humidity?

A

e/es

17
Q

What is the mixing ratio?

A

The mass of water vapour (mv) per mass of dry air md =(m-mv)

18
Q

What is specific humidity?

A

The mass of water vapour divided by the mass of moist air
q=mwv/m

19
Q

What is homogenous Nucleation?

A

Cloud droplets form directly from the vapour phase

20
Q

What is heterogenous Nucleation?

A

Cloud droplets form on nuclei from the vapour phase

21
Q

Why do spherical drops of water evaporate quicker?

A

Due to the shape the water molecules have fewer neighbours
So less attractive forces between molecules
So less energy is needed to overcome to attraction to evaporate

22
Q

How do you calculate the mixing ratio?

A

r=εe/(p-e)