Hygroscopicity and Chemical Composition of Silver Iodide Smoke Used in Cloud Seeding Experiments

Abstract

The aerosol produced by a commercial device used for cloud seeding experiments was studied by electron microscopy, electron diffraction, chemical analysis and a replica method to test the hygroscopicity of the particles. The electron micrographs obtained from the aerosol when applying the replica method showed the hygroscopic nature of the aerosol particles. We deduced from chemical analysis that the aerosol is composed of silver and potassium iodides in the ratio of approximately 2:1. From an electron diffraction pattern and other considerations, the formation of a double salt or a solid solution is indicated; its nature should be considered in further work.