Abstract
Present paper examines the dependency of ambient parameters such as humidity, and turbulence to determine the conditions on raindrop formation with the help of a self-designed cloud chamber. The research methods are experimental and observational in nature, where atmospheric phenomena are recreated through the usage of appropriate substitutes. Miniature droplets were created inside a box-like setup through the use of dry ice to cool the water vapor rising up, so as to create suspended water droplets, and to induce precipitation of heavier droplets. The experiment resulted in the creation of precipitated droplets, which were found at the base of the chamber at 99-100% relative humidity. The suspended droplets were used to study factors such as luminosity and variation of droplet sizes with turbulence. It was found that up to 14.4 m/s of turbulence, the droplet sizes increase with an increase in turbulence, with the luminosity decreasing with increase in turbulence. The gaussian profile of droplet size distribution has also been obtained, with a standard deviation of 2.83, 3.01 and 3.18 for low, medium and high turbulence speeds respectively. The experiment can be extended to incorporate a higher number of variables, so as to include a wider range of atmospheric phenomena.
Highlights
Clouds are essential in the earth-atmosphere system as they regulate earth’s radiation budget by reflecting as well as by scattering the solar radiation and they absorb infrared radiation of the Earth
The droplet size distribution, temperature gradient was plotted from the analysis
The experiment and the designing of the cloud chamber were made with the purpose to provide a different approach to the construction of a miniaturized cloud chamber, so as to replicate basic atmospheric processes
Summary
Clouds are essential in the earth-atmosphere system as they regulate earth’s radiation budget by reflecting as well as by scattering the solar radiation and they absorb infrared radiation of the Earth. They are required for precipitation to occur and are an essential part in the hydrological cycle. For cloud to form, they require hygroscopic nuclei for condensation through water vapor, which triggers drop formation process in the atmosphere. Other indirect processes involve cloud cover in UV scattering and the role of gases such as sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide in light absorption and attenuation was elaborated upon by Spinhirne and Green in their 1978 publication [1].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
