Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-chemistry-course-of-the-year-4-of-the-natural-sciences-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2021/paper-id/3/a/ii/solution
Past exam of the chemistry course of the year 4 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge 2021 Interdisciplinary paper IDP1 3 a ii Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
The size parameter , complex refractive index and particle shape determine scattering strength and direction. In the small-sphere Rayleigh scattering regime, scattering cross-section scales as ; the Mie scattering regime is needed when particle size approaches the wavelength. Particle number density and particle size distribution, aerosol hygroscopicity and the angular fraction returned to space control an ensemble's radiative effect. High scattering does not imply strong cooling if most light is scattered forward or the particle also absorbs strongly; single-scattering albedo distinguishes scattering from absorption.
New to topics? Read the docs here!