Ice Microdynamics

Atmospheric ice particles play crucial roles in cloud and storm dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, climatological processes, and other atmospheric processes. Ice Microdynamics introduces the elementary physics and dynamics of atmospheric ice particles in clouds; subsequent sections explain their formation from water vapor, why ice crystal shape and concentration in cirrus clouds influence the heating of air, and describe how ice crystals cleanse the atmosphere by scavenging aerosol particles.

Pao Wang's lucid writing style will appeal to atmospheric scientists, climatologists, and meteorologists with an interest in understanding the role of ice particles in the atmosphere of our planet.

Ice Particles in the Atmosphere
Ice Particles - a Personal Perspective
Some Historical Notes on the Knowledge of Ice Particles in Ancient China
The Hexagonal Shape of Snowflakes
Protection of Crops from the Cold
Observations of Frost-Free and Dew-Free Situation in High Mountains
A Brief Summary of the Following Chapters

Mathematical Descriptions of Ice Particle Size and Shape
Size Distribution Versus Size-Shape Distributions
Mathematical Expression Describing the Two-Dimensional Shapes of Hexagonal Ice Crystals
Approximating an Exact Hexagonal Plate
Two-Dimensional Characterization of an Ensemble of Planar Hexagonal Ice Crystals
Mathematical Expressions Describing the Three-Dimensional Shapes of Ice Crystals
Three-Dimensional Mathematical Expression Describing Planar Hexagonal Crystals
Three-Dimensional Mathematical Expressions Describing Spatial Dendrites and Rosettes
Mathematical Expressions Describing Conical Hydrometeors
Mathematical Formula - 2-D Cross-Section
Fitting Procedure and Examples
Examples and Discussions
Cross-Sectional Area, Volume, and Area of the Surface of Revolution
3-D Expression of Conical Particles with Circular and Elliptical Cross-Sections

Hydrodynamics of Small Ice Particles
Fall Attitude of Ice Particles
Review of Previous Studies
The Physics and Mathematics of Unsteady Flow Fields Around Non-Spherical Ice Particles
The Numerical Scheme
Results and Discussions
Remarks on the Flow Fields Around Larger Falling Ice Particles


Vapor Diffusion, Ventilation, and Collision Efficiencies of Ice Crystals
Introduction
Vapor Diffusion Fields Around a Stationary Columnar Ice Crystal
Ventilation Coefficients for Falling Ice Crystals
Collision Efficiencies of Ice Crystals Collecting Supercooled Droplets


Scavenging and Transportation of Aerosol Particles by Ice Crystals in Clouds
Importance of Aerosol Particles in the Atmosphere
Physical Mechanisms of Precipitation Scavenging
The Theoretical Problem of Ice Scavenging of Aerosol Particles
Physics and Mathematics of the Models
Efficiency of Ice Plates Collecting Aerosol Particles
Efficiency of Columnar Ice Crystals Collecting Aerosol Particles
Comparison of Collection Efficiency of Aerosol Particles by Individual Water droplets, ice plates, and ice columns
Experimental Verification of Collection Efficiencies


Section 6 Evolution of Ice Crystals in the Development of Cirrus Clouds
Cirrus Clouds, Radiation and Climate
Physics of the Model
Design of the Present Simulation Study
Numerics of the Model
Results and Discussions

Appendix A. Area of an Axial Cross-section
Appendix B. Calculation of Volume
Appendix C. Closed Form Expression of the Conical Volume
References
List of Figures