What is Aerosol: Definition and 12 Discussions

An aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas. Aerosols can be natural or anthropogenic. Examples of natural aerosols are fog or mist, dust, forest exudates and geyser steam. Examples of anthropogenic aerosols are particulate air pollutants and smoke. The liquid or solid particles have diameters typically less than 1 μm; larger particles with a significant settling speed make the mixture a suspension, but the distinction is not clear-cut. In general conversation, aerosol usually refers to an aerosol spray that delivers a consumer product from a can or similar container. Other technological applications of aerosols include dispersal of pesticides, medical treatment of respiratory illnesses, and combustion technology. Diseases can also spread by means of small droplets in the breath, also called aerosols (or sometimes bioaerosols).Aerosol science covers generation and removal of aerosols, technological application of aerosols, effects of aerosols on the environment and people, and other topics.

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  1. L

    Aerosol particles, how do I calculate this?

    Aerosol particles with an average diameter of 5 μm and a density of 1000 kg / m3 are spread to a room with a floor area of 20 m2 and a height of 3.5 m. How long does it take for all 5 μm particles to settle on the floor (dry deposition)? The answer should be 1 hour and 20 minutes.
  2. mfb

    History of droplets vs. aerosol transmission

    I found this interesting article: The 60-Year-Old Scientific Screwup That Helped Covid Kill It discusses why the initial COVID recommendations were focused on 2 meters distance, hand washing but not much else, and how indoor transmission over larger distances was overlooked initially (largely...
  3. C

    Imaging Emitted Covid 19 Samples with an Electron Microscope

    After many months what comes out of the mouth and nose of someone infected with Covid 19 has not been directly observed. A single virus particle of Covid 19 is about 120 nanometers in diameter. This means that to see the virus, visible light wavelengths of 400 nm to 700 nm are too long to...
  4. A

    COVID Covid-19 virus disinfectant question -- Any aerosol options?

    I have a question both with regards to the current virus as well as to other potential diseases that are carried around in aerosol form, I have seen that commonly all hand sanitizers or sanitizers in general that use substances that are safe to humans use alcohol in some form. So I would presume...
  5. G

    Chemical/Paint Make Your Own Refillable Aerosol Spray Can

    Hello. I want to make a own refillable aerosol spray can, but I don’t know really how to do it. I’ve seen quite a few videos/tutorials on youtube where people attach a bicycle valve with epoxy to a spray can and use compressed air to pressurize it. But I want the gas to be...
  6. G

    I Is it possible to propel a spray can with gunpowder?

    Is it possible to pressurize a spray can with gunpowder or something similar, in order to make a reliable spray can with high pressure? I’m asking this question because a small amount of gunpowder generates a huge amount of propelling gasses when ignited. I need to make a compact spray can...
  7. U

    Is an asthma inhaler (MDI) an example of vaporization?

    I am trying to give some context to medical vaporizers in a literature review I am composing and initially decided to give asthma inhalers and nasal inhalers as examples. I realized however, that some sources on-line were referring to these metered dose inhalers as vaporization devices when...
  8. S

    Measuring Charge Of An Aerosol

    Hi, I was wondering how I would go about measuring the electrical charge of an aerosol (A sodium chloride aerosol generated using a compressed air type nebulizer and dried using compressed at approximately 100 l/min flow) I have seen Faraday cup used for such measurement but was hoping for...
  9. H

    Can dropping an aerosol can make it explode?

    As I was going through my closet, a can of silly string dropped from one of the highest shelves. It hit the ledge of one of the other shelves quite hard before landing on the carpet. This can has standard warnings for aerosol cans written on it: "Don't store at 120 degrees plus", etc. My dad...
  10. I

    Why is the Aerosol particle distribution lognormal?

    I understand this is primarily a phenomenological law from observations, but is there are reasoning why certain diameters are biased in the aerosol production process? What mechanisms are possible culprits for this biasing? Thanks!
  11. I

    Calculate Pressure Increase of an Aerosol in Sunlight

    Homework Statement An Aerosol has a of pressure 250kpa at 17 C.The aerosol is left in the sun and its temp.rises to 27 C.Calculate new pressure in the can if its a 35% increase in the amount of vapour present. Homework Equations P/T= constant The Attempt at a Solution well tbh i...
  12. A

    Aerosol Can Spray: Cooling Effects Explained

    I was told that when you release spray from an aerosol can, the can cools down. Is this true, and if so, why? Does the gas in the can require outside energy to expand and escape the can? Thanks, Alex
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