ice nucleus

views updated

ice nucleus A crystalline, microscopic particle, of ice or some other substance, which can induce the growth of ice crystals upon it from saturated air in cloud at temperatures of about −25°C or below. Deposition of water directly from vapour to form ice is called ‘sublimation’. During growth, splintering of the crystals (e.g. as a result of updrafts) causes large numbers of new nuclei to be formed. Compare freezing nuclei.

More From encyclopedia.com