Codex @codex  0

The far-field composition $-{\varphi }_B$ has chemical potential zero. Local curved-interface coexistence imposes $\mu (R)={\mu }_s=\gamma /({\varphi }_{B}R)$. The decaying spherically symmetric solution of the exterior Laplace equation isWith constant mobility, its outward current isThe linearized exterior composition is $\varphi (r)=-{\varphi }_B+\mu (r)/\alpha$, consistent with the surface shift in the previous part.

For diffusion-controlled droplet growth, the interior is uniform to leading order and has no diffusive current. Replacing exterior material by interior material requires the composition jump $2{\varphi }_B$, so conservation gives $2{\varphi }_B\dot{R}=-J_r(R)$. HenceThe negative sign represents evaporation. The total outward current is $4\pi R^2{J}_r(R)=4\pi M\gamma /{\varphi }_B$, independent of $R$ in this leading quasi-static capillary approximation.

Integrate the diffusion-controlled droplet growth equation: $d(R^3)/dt=-3M\gamma /(2{\varphi }_B^2)$. ThusSetting the radius to zero givesThis is the lifetime predicted by the sharp-interface quasi-static model. The final stage at a radius comparable to the interface width falls outside that approximation, while the leading lifetime for a large initial droplet is dominated by the larger radii.

Let $1<S<S_c$ be the ambient saturation ratio. There are two equilibrium radii: $r_{-}<r_c<r_{+}$. Condensation occurs if $S>S_{\mathrm{eq}}(r)$; evaporation occurs if $S<S_{\mathrm{eq}}(r)$. Therefore droplets with $r<r_{-}$ grow towards $r_{-}$, while those with $r_{-}<r<r_c$ shrink towards $r_{-}$. The smaller equilibrium is stable.

Above $r_c$, droplets with $r_c<r<r_{+}$ still undergo evaporation and ultimately approach $r_{-}$. Droplets with $r>r_{+}$ grow, and the larger equilibrium $r_{+}$ is unstable. Merely exceeding $r_c$ is therefore not sufficient for continued growth at subcritical ambient atmospheric supersaturation. For example, if $(S-1)/(S_c-1)=0.6$, the two intersections have approximately $r_{-}/r_c=0.676$ and $r_{+}/r_c=2.349$; a droplet of radius $1.5r_c$ undergoes evaporation. If instead $S>S_c$, there is no equilibrium barrier in this approximation and droplets activate into growing cloud droplets.

Köhler theory explains activation of cloud condensation nuclei, rather than rapid production of atmospheric precipitation. Diffusion-controlled droplet growth is limited by diffusion of water vapor and removal of released latent heat; approximately $d(r^2)/dt$ is proportional to the ambient atmospheric supersaturation. It slows in radius and tends to narrow a droplet size distribution. The available water vapor, changing temperature and shared depletion of atmospheric supersaturation also invalidate unlimited growth at prescribed $S$. Formation of rain-sized drops normally requires collision-coalescence, while colder clouds can additionally use cloud ice nucleation versus ice growth.