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Modelling our changing climate

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Electromagnetic radiation

Vapour trails and climate change

Recent research indicates that aircraft vapour trails can have a significant impact on climate change. Ron Holt explains how vapour trails are formed and how they contribute to global warming

The terms in bold link to topics in the AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CCEA A-level specifications, as well as the IB, Pre-U and SQA exam specifications.

Vapour trails form when water vapour condenses to form droplets and then freezes to create ice crystals, which may sublime to return directly to vapour. A combination of atmospheric pressure, temperature and relative humidity determines whether these processes occur.

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Previous

Modelling our changing climate

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Electromagnetic radiation

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