condensatiekernmeters

Condensatiekernmeters, also known as cloud condensation nuclei counters (CCNCs), are instruments used to measure the concentration of aerosol particles that can act as condensation nuclei. These particles are crucial for cloud formation in the atmosphere. A CCNC works by exposing an air sample containing aerosol particles to a supersaturated vapor environment, typically water vapor. When the supersaturation level reaches a certain threshold, particles that are hygroscopic enough and large enough will begin to grow into visible cloud droplets. The instrument then detects and counts these growing droplets, allowing for the determination of the number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei at that supersaturation. Different CCCNs operate using various methods for creating supersaturation and detecting droplet growth, such as the continuous flow method or the static diffusion method. The measurements obtained from CCCNs are vital for understanding cloud microphysics, atmospheric aerosol-cloud interactions, and their impact on climate.