DS8 asked me a question this morning that I'm not sure I have an accurate answer for, so I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me.
We were talking about how, when it's 0 degrees out like it is today (or less cold, but below freezing), how the exhaust from cars condenses as it meets the air, much the way our breath does. We talked a bit about gas particles freezing. And then he asked why the air all around us doesn't condense at such low temperatures. Obviously there's snow, but that's when there are clouds with moisture in them. Why don't the air's gaseous particles freeze up around us. Is it simply that there's not enough moisture at such low temperatures on a non-cloudy day? I talked about different freezing points, but I'm not sure that's entirely accurate, or if I'm overthinking my answer.
Anyone have a fairly simple explanation that could help me? TIA!
Last edited by mnmom23; 12/09/11 07:37 AM.
