My Research
By: Ms. Williams
June 29, 2004
Warm-Up
Activity
Aerosol-Cloud-Climate
Interactions
Aerosol
1 : a suspension of fine
solid or liquid particles in
gas <smoke, fog, and mist
are aerosols>
Cloud
1 : a visible mass of
particles of condensed
vapor (as water or ice)
suspended in the
atmosphere of a planet (as
the earth) or moon
Climate
2 a : the average course or
condition of the weather at a
place usually over a period
of years as exhibited by
temperature, wind velocity,
and precipitation
Aerosol-Cloud-Climate
Interactions
Aerosol
Indirect
Effect
Cloud
Direct
Effect
Climate
The sun emits shortwave radiation
towards to earth
Fun Fact
Without Earth's atmosphere, temperatures
would climb to over 2000°F (93°C) during the
day and fall to 280°F (138°C) below zero at
The Earth re-emits
night.
long-wave radiation
back towards space
Direct Effect
Aerosol
Climate
Aerosols
scatter solar
radiation
Direct Effect
Aerosol
Climate
Aerosols
absorb
terrestrial
radiation
Light Scattering
Demonstration
Clouds-Climate
Cloud
Climate
Clouds also
intercept solar
radiation
Why does it feel cooler on a
cloudy day?
Sunny Day @
the Beach
Cloudy Day @
the Beach
Cloud Formation
Demonstration I
Cloud Formation
Cloud Formation
Demonstration II
Cloud Formation
Aerosol

Cloud
Aerosols that
become
a cloud drop

Cloud
Clouds form in
regions of the
atmosphere where
water vapor is
supersaturated.
However, the water
vapor must
condense on aerosol
particles to form
clouds
Why do clouds not form
everywhere water vapor exists?
Cloud Regions
Water Vapor
Regions
st
1
Indirect Effect
Aerosol
Fun Fact:
The droplets of water
or ice in a cloud are
about 70 times smaller
than the period at the
end of this sentence.
Less polluted:
Larger drops
More polluted:
Smaller drops
Cloud
st
1
Indirect Effect
Aerosol
Cloud
Why is the crushed ice brighter
than the cubed ice?
nd
2
Indirect Effect
Time
Aerosol
Cloud
Why do clouds get darker right
before it rains?
What is the overall impact?
IPCC, 2001
How does this affect us?
 Climate
“The Day
After
Tomorrow”
is a
delicate system
 Predict future
climate trends
 Predict
consequences of
current actions
Other Aerosol Impacts

Acid Rain



Anthropogenic (manmade) aerosols
Vegetation Damage
Ecological system

Health


Respiratory Effects
Visibility

Smog, Fog, Haze, etc…
?? Questions ??
Recap
Direct Effect:
-Aerosols absorb and
scatter Sun’s Radiation
Indirect Effects:
-Clouds need aerosols to form
Reflect Sunlight
From Space
Clouds reflect more and live
longer as the number of
aerosols increase
Aerosol
Aerosol
Climate
Cloud
Clouds
Cloud
Climate
Recap
Aerosol
Indirect
Effect
Direct
Effect
Cloud
Climate
Exit Ticket