Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Computation of Atmospheric Concentrations of Molecular Clusters from ab initio Thermochemistry
Published on: April 8, 2020
Thermodynamics and kinetics of atmospheric aerosol particle formation and growth
Hanna Vehkamäki1, Ilona Riipinen
1Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland. hanna.vehkamaki@helsinki.fi
Abstract:
In this tutorial review we summarize the standard approaches to describe aerosol formation from atmospheric vapours and subsequent growth - with a particular emphasis on the interplay between equilibrium thermodynamics and non-equilibrium transport. We review the use of thermodynamics in describing phase equilibria and formation of aerosol particles from supersaturated vapour via nucleation. We also discuss the kinetics of cluster formation and transport phenomena, which are used to describe dynamic mass transport between the gaseous and condensed phases in a non-equilibrium system. Finally, we put these theories into the context of atmospheric observations of aerosol formation and growth.
Related Concept Videos
Predicting Reaction Outcomes
Temperature Dependence on Reaction Rate
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
Basic Postulates of Kinetic Molecular Theory: Particle Size, Energy, and Collision
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
The Kinetic Model of Gases

