Condensation nuclei

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-002381",
  "term": "Condensation nuclei",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "Microscopic particles suspended in the atmosphere that provide a surface for water vapor to condense upon, forming cloud droplets or ice crystals. These particles, which can be natural (e.g., dust, sea salt) or anthropogenic (e.g., sulfates, soot), must be present for cloud formation to occur at typical atmospheric supersaturations. Their size ranges from nanometers to several micrometers.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and the Environment",
  "see_also": [
    "relative humidity"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2182 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/condensation-nuclei/"
}