Importance of difference between SVP over ice and water?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the significance of the difference in saturated vapor pressure (SVP) over ice compared to water, particularly at temperatures below 0°C. It is established that the SVP over ice is lower than that over water, which influences the growth of ice crystals in clouds, leading to the Bergeron process where ice crystals grow at the expense of supercooled water droplets. This difference also affects the moist adiabat, as the latent heat released during condensation of vapor to water (2.5 kJ/g) differs from that during sublimation to ice (2.833 kJ/g), introducing additional variables in atmospheric processes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of saturated vapor pressure (SVP)
  • Familiarity with the Bergeron process in meteorology
  • Knowledge of latent heat concepts
  • Basic principles of cloud formation and atmospheric thermodynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Bergeron process in detail to understand its implications in precipitation formation.
  • Study the differences in latent heat of vaporization and sublimation.
  • Explore the concept of moist and dry adiabats in atmospheric science.
  • Investigate the role of ice crystals in cloud dynamics and weather patterns.
USEFUL FOR

Meteorologists, atmospheric scientists, and students studying weather phenomena will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in cloud formation and precipitation processes.

JesseC
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SVP = saturated vapour pressure.

I understand that the SVP over ice is less than that over water for temperatures less than 0C. I'm doing an exam question which asks 'what is the significance of this difference?'. My first guess is that in clouds with both ice and water present, this difference results in growth of ice crystals at the expense of droplets. Not sure if this is the only significance, and whether anyone could point me to some others.
 
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Check the Bergeron process. Precipitation will form much easier with the ice crystals growing continuously than miniscule water droplets coalescing via collisions.

Also, -not sure- it may the reason why the moist adiabat is not as as constant as the dry adiabat. If vapor condenses to water the released latent heat is about 2.5 kJ/g, but when it sublimates to ice crystals it's 2.833 kJ/g, adding another variable.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wlatent.htm
 

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