Measurement of cloud properties using a self-designed cloud chamber

Abstract

Present paper examines the dependency of ambient parameters such as humidity, and turbulence to determine the conditions on raindrop formation with the help of a self-designed cloud chamber. The research methods are experimental and observational in nature, where atmospheric phenomena are recreated through the usage of appropriate substitutes. Miniature droplets were created inside a box-like setup through the use of dry ice to cool the water vapor rising up, so as to create suspended water droplets, and to induce precipitation of heavier droplets. The experiment resulted in the creation of precipitated droplets, which were found at the base of the chamber at 99-100% relative humidity. The suspended droplets were used to study factors such as luminosity and variation of droplet sizes with turbulence. It was found that up to 14.4 m/s of turbulence, the droplet sizes increase with an increase in turbulence, with the luminosity decreasing with increase in turbulence. The gaussian profile of droplet size distribution has also been obtained, with a standard deviation of 2.83, 3.01 and 3.18 for low, medium and high turbulence speeds respectively. The experiment can be extended to incorporate a higher number of variables, so as to include a wider range of atmospheric phenomena.