This cartoon shows the relative sizes of a typical raindrop, a droplet of water in a cloud, an extremely large aerosol particle, and a smaller aerosol particle of a more typical size. Even smaller aerosol particles exist; some as small as 10 nanometers (0.01 microns) across. Those particles would be invisible at even this magnified size scale. Click on image for full size (11 Kb) Randy Russell / Windows to the Universe

Aerosols, also called particulates, are tiny bits of solid or liquid suspended in the air. Some aerosols are so small that they are made only of a few molecules – so small that they are invisible because they are smaller than the wavelength of light. Larger aerosols are still very small, but they are visible and are more than 2.5 micrometers wide.

There are hundreds or thousands of little aerosols in each cubic centimeter of air. Some of them are natural and others are released into the air by humans. Natural sources of aerosols include dust from dry regions that is blown by the wind, particles released by erupting volcanoes or forest fires, and salt from the ocean.

We, humans, add more aerosols to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels to run cars and power plants and by burning wood. Aerosols are a part of air pollution. When we change the landscape by removing plants or water, like at construction sites, the top surface of the soil can be blown away in the wind which adds more aerosols to the atmosphere.

Some aerosols are released into the atmosphere, others form in the atmosphere. They are made from combinations of materials that are released into the atmosphere. For example, sulfate aerosols are made in the atmosphere from sulfur dioxide released from power plants.

In general, the smaller and lighter a particle is, the longer it will stay in the air. Larger particles (greater than 10 micrometers in diameter) tend to settle to the ground by gravity in a matter of hours whereas the smallest particles (less than 1 micrometer) can stay in the atmosphere for weeks and are mostly removed by precipitation.

Aerosols have an impact on Earth’s climate system. They provide places where water vapor can condense into little water droplets, forming clouds, and the number and types of clouds have an impact on climate. Additionally, aerosols have an impact on climate because certain types are able to scatter or absorb sunlight – changing the amount of energy that stays in the Earth system. Aerosols that scatter light can make interesting distortions in the sky, called atmospheric optics.

The aerosols that are from air pollution are hazardous to human health. When the little particles get deep into a person’s lungs it can make him or her very ill. Aerosols can also limit visibility, causing haze in many parts of the world.

This cartoon shows the relative sizes of a typical raindrop, a droplet of water in a cloud, an extremely large aerosol particle, and a smaller aerosol particle of a more typical size. Even smaller aerosol particles exist; some as small as 10 nanometers (0.01 microns) across. Those particles would be invisible at even this magnified size scale. Click on image for full size (11 Kb) Randy Russell / Windows to the Universe

When you look up at the sky, you are looking at more than just air. There are also billions of tiny bits of solid and liquid floating in the atmosphere. Those tiny floating particles are called aerosols or particulates.

Some aerosols are so small that they are made only of a few molecules – so small that they are invisible because they are smaller than the wavelength of light. Larger aerosols are still very small, but they are visible.

There are hundreds or thousands of little aerosols in each cubic centimeter of air. Some of them are natural and others are released into the air by humans. Natural sources of aerosols include dust from dry regions that is blown by the wind, particles released by erupting volcanoes or forest fires, and salt from the ocean.

We, humans, add aerosols to the atmosphere too. Aerosols are a part of air pollution from cars, power plants, and factories that burn fossil fuels.

Some aerosols are released into the atmosphere, others are made in the atmosphere. For example, sulfate aerosols are made in the atmosphere from sulfur dioxide released from power plants.

In general, the smaller and lighter a particle is, the longer it will stay in the air. Larger particles tend to settle to the ground by gravity in a matter of hours whereas the smallest particles (less than 1 micrometer) can stay in the atmosphere for weeks and are mostly removed by precipitation.

For several reasons, aerosols affect climate. Aerosols help clouds to form in the sky and the number and types of clouds affects climate. Certain types are able to scatter or absorb sunlight, which affects climate. Aerosols that scatter light can make interesting distortions in the sky, called atmospheric optics.

The aerosols that are from air pollution are hazardous to human health. When the little particles get deep into a person’s lungs it can make him or her very ill. Aerosols can also limit visibility, causing haze in many parts of the world.

This cartoon shows the relative sizes of a typical raindrop, a droplet of water in a cloud, an extremely large aerosol particle, and a smaller aerosol particle of a more typical size. Even smaller aerosol particles exist; some as small as 10 nanometers (0.01 microns) across. Those particles would be invisible at even this magnified size scale. Click on image for full size (11 Kb) Randy Russell / Windows to the Universe

When you look up at the sky, you are looking at more than just air. There are also billions of tiny bits of solid and liquid floating in the air.

These tiny particles are called aerosols or particulates. Some of them are so small that they are invisible. Others are large enough to see, but they are still very small.

Some of them are natural. The dust from dry regions that is blown by the wind makes aerosols. Particles released by erupting volcanoes or forest fires make aerosols too. Salt from the ocean can also get into the air.

We, humans, add aerosols to the atmosphere too. Aerosols are a part of air pollution from cars, power plants, and factories.

Smaller and lighter aerosols can stay in the air longer than larger aerosols. Gravity can bring larger ones to the ground in a few hours. The smallest ones can stay in the air for weeks.

Aerosols affect Earth’s climate. Aerosols help clouds form in the sky and the number and types of clouds affects climate. Certain types are able to scatter or absorb sunlight, which affects climate.

The aerosols that are from air pollution are bad for people’s health. If the little particles get into a person’s lungs it can make him or her very ill. Aerosols also cause haze in many parts of the world.