Nature & Environment
Scientists Discover the 'Superglue' of the Atmosphere that Increases Cloud Formation
Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Oct 10, 2014 09:17 AM EDT
Scientists have known for years that sulfuric acid contributes to the formation of tiny aerosol particles, which aid in cloud formation. Now, scientists have discovered that dimethylamine can also tremendously enhance new particle formation.
In the past, it was only possible to detect neutral clusters containing up to two sulfuric acid molecules. Yet in this case, scientists detected clusters containing up to 14 sulfuric acid and 16 dimethylamine molecules and their growth in real-time starting from just one molecule.
Scientists have recognized the capability of sulfuric acid molecules together with water and ammonia to form clusters and particles for several years. Yet clusters which form in this manner can vaporize under conditions which exist in the atmosphere. In contrast, the system of sulfuric acid and dimethylamine forms particles much more efficiently because even the smallest clusters are essentially stable against evaporation. This means that dimethylamine essentially acts as "superglue."
These findings in particular may show a new and detailed insight into the chemical system of our atmosphere. This could be used to examine atmospheric particle formation, in particular. Clouds only form if cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are present. This means that the observed particle formation from sulfuric acid and dimethylamine could also be relevant for the formation of CCN.
A high concentration of CCN generally leads to the formation of clouds with a high concentration of small droplets. In contrast, fewer CCN lead to clouds with few, large droplets. Because these concentrations help determine precipitation across the globe, knowing about this particular interaction could allow scientists to better estimate how much precipitation will fall in a particular region.
The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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First Posted: Oct 10, 2014 09:17 AM EDT
Scientists have known for years that sulfuric acid contributes to the formation of tiny aerosol particles, which aid in cloud formation. Now, scientists have discovered that dimethylamine can also tremendously enhance new particle formation.
In the past, it was only possible to detect neutral clusters containing up to two sulfuric acid molecules. Yet in this case, scientists detected clusters containing up to 14 sulfuric acid and 16 dimethylamine molecules and their growth in real-time starting from just one molecule.
Scientists have recognized the capability of sulfuric acid molecules together with water and ammonia to form clusters and particles for several years. Yet clusters which form in this manner can vaporize under conditions which exist in the atmosphere. In contrast, the system of sulfuric acid and dimethylamine forms particles much more efficiently because even the smallest clusters are essentially stable against evaporation. This means that dimethylamine essentially acts as "superglue."
These findings in particular may show a new and detailed insight into the chemical system of our atmosphere. This could be used to examine atmospheric particle formation, in particular. Clouds only form if cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are present. This means that the observed particle formation from sulfuric acid and dimethylamine could also be relevant for the formation of CCN.
A high concentration of CCN generally leads to the formation of clouds with a high concentration of small droplets. In contrast, fewer CCN lead to clouds with few, large droplets. Because these concentrations help determine precipitation across the globe, knowing about this particular interaction could allow scientists to better estimate how much precipitation will fall in a particular region.
The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone