10th International Aerosol Conference
September 2 - September 7, 2018
America's Center Convention Complex
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Abstract View


On the Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Atmospheric Aerosol Formation

ILONA RIIPINEN, Stockholm University

     Abstract Number: 1728
     Working Group: Invited by Conference Chair

Abstract
The conversion of atmospheric vapors to aerosol particle and cloud hydrometeor populations depends on one hand on the energetics of the condensed phase, and on the other hand on the kinetics of the gas-phase molecules and particle populations. These thermodynamic and kinetic aspects are intertwined in aerosol formation processes, and generally difficult to isolate from field observations or even well specified laboratory data. Theoretically robust process models that accurately account for the kinetics and thermodynamics of aerosol formation are therefore critical for interpreting empirical data. The combination of such theoretical tools with experimental data on atmospherically relevant environments and molecules is the key for provide generalizable approaches to predict aerosol formation in e.g. climate and air quality models.  In my presentation, I will summarize recent advances in understanding the key thermodynamic and kinetic features of aerosol formation, and discuss remaining key uncertainties in our efforts of creating approaches for describing aerosol formation with predictive power in various atmospherically relevant conditions.