Bergeron-findeisen process: Difference between revisions

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|Meaning=(Commonly called the ice process of precipitation, and formerly, ice-  crystal theory; also Bergeron&ndash;Findeisen&ndash;Wegener process or theory, and with the names in a different  order.) A theoretical explanation of the process by which [[precipitation]] particles may form  within a [[mixed cloud]] (composed of both [[ice crystals]] and liquid water drops).
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|Explanation=The basis of this theory is the fact that the [[equilibrium vapor pressure]] of [[water vapor]] with  respect to [[ice]] is less than that with respect to liquid water at the same subfreezing [[temperature]].  Thus, within an admixture of these [[particles]], and provided that the total [[water content]] were  sufficiently high, the ice crystals would gain mass by [[vapor]] deposition at the expense of the liquid  drops that would lose mass by [[evaporation]]. Upon attaining sufficient weight, the ice crystals  would fall as [[snow]] and very likely become further modified by [[accretion]], melting, and/or evaporation  before reaching the ground. This theory was first proposed by T. Bergeron in 1933, and  further developed by W. Findeisen. Certain of its features related to [[nucleation]] had been suggested  by A. Wegener as early as 1911. Operation of this process requires numerous small water drops  that are supercooled, which is a common feature in clouds between about 0&#x000b0; and -20&#x000b0;C or below,  along with a small number of ice crystals. The crystals grow by vapor deposition at a rate (maximum  at about -12&#x000b0;C) to give individual snow crystals in some 10 to 20 minutes. Much [[cloud seeding]]  is based upon the introduction of artificial [[ice nucleus|ice nuclei]] to supply more of the ice particles.<br/> Wegener, A. 1911. Thermodynamik der Atmosph&#x000e4;re. Barth, Leipzig. <br/> Findeisen, W. 1938. Die kolloidmeteorologischen Vorg&#x000e4;nge bei der Niederschlagsbildung (Colloidal meteorological  processes in the formation of precipitation). Met. Z.. 55. p. 121. <br/> Bergeron, T. 1935. On the physics of cloud and precipitation. Proc. 5th Assembly U.G.G.I. Lisbon. Vol. 2,  . p. 156.  
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== Bergeron&ndash;Findeisen process ==
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<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">(Commonly called the ice process of precipitation, and formerly, ice-  crystal theory; also Bergeron&ndash;Findeisen&ndash;Wegener process or theory, and with the names in a different  order.) A theoretical explanation of the process by which [[precipitation]] particles may form  within a [[mixed cloud]] (composed of both [[ice crystals]] and liquid water drops).</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">The basis of this theory is the fact that the [[equilibrium vapor pressure]] of [[water vapor]] with  respect to [[ice]] is less than that with respect to liquid water at the same subfreezing [[temperature]].  Thus, within an admixture of these [[particles]], and provided that the total [[water content]] were  sufficiently high, the ice crystals would gain mass by [[vapor]] deposition at the expense of the liquid  drops that would lose mass by [[evaporation]]. Upon attaining sufficient weight, the ice crystals  would fall as [[snow]] and very likely become further modified by [[accretion]], melting, and/or evaporation  before reaching the ground. This theory was first proposed by T. Bergeron in 1933, and  further developed by W. Findeisen. Certain of its features related to [[nucleation]] had been suggested  by A. Wegener as early as 1911. Operation of this process requires numerous small water drops  that are supercooled, which is a common feature in clouds between about 0&#x000b0; and -20&#x000b0;C or below,  along with a small number of ice crystals. The crystals grow by vapor deposition at a rate (maximum  at about -12&#x000b0;C) to give individual snow crystals in some 10 to 20 minutes. Much [[cloud seeding]]  is based upon the introduction of artificial [[ice nuclei]] to supply more of the ice particles.</div><br/> </div><div class="reference">Wegener, A. 1911. Thermodynamik der Atmosph&#x000e4;re. Barth, Leipzig. </div><br/> <div class="reference">Findeisen, W. 1938. Die kolloidmeteorologischen Vorg&#x000e4;nge bei der Niederschlagsbildung (Colloidal meteorological  processes in the formation of precipitation). Met. Z.. 55. p. 121. </div><br/> <div class="reference">Bergeron, T. 1935. On the physics of cloud and precipitation. Proc. 5th Assembly U.G.G.I. Lisbon. Vol. 2,  . p. 156. </div><br/>
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Latest revision as of 12:26, 26 March 2024

(Commonly called the ice process of precipitation, and formerly, ice- crystal theory; also Bergeron–Findeisen–Wegener process or theory, and with the names in a different order.) A theoretical explanation of the process by which precipitation particles may form within a mixed cloud (composed of both ice crystals and liquid water drops).

The basis of this theory is the fact that the equilibrium vapor pressure of water vapor with respect to ice is less than that with respect to liquid water at the same subfreezing temperature. Thus, within an admixture of these particles, and provided that the total water content were sufficiently high, the ice crystals would gain mass by vapor deposition at the expense of the liquid drops that would lose mass by evaporation. Upon attaining sufficient weight, the ice crystals would fall as snow and very likely become further modified by accretion, melting, and/or evaporation before reaching the ground. This theory was first proposed by T. Bergeron in 1933, and further developed by W. Findeisen. Certain of its features related to nucleation had been suggested by A. Wegener as early as 1911. Operation of this process requires numerous small water drops that are supercooled, which is a common feature in clouds between about 0° and -20°C or below, along with a small number of ice crystals. The crystals grow by vapor deposition at a rate (maximum at about -12°C) to give individual snow crystals in some 10 to 20 minutes. Much cloud seeding is based upon the introduction of artificial ice nuclei to supply more of the ice particles.
Wegener, A. 1911. Thermodynamik der Atmosphäre. Barth, Leipzig.
Findeisen, W. 1938. Die kolloidmeteorologischen Vorgänge bei der Niederschlagsbildung (Colloidal meteorological processes in the formation of precipitation). Met. Z.. 55. p. 121.
Bergeron, T. 1935. On the physics of cloud and precipitation. Proc. 5th Assembly U.G.G.I. Lisbon. Vol. 2, . p. 156.

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