Condensation rate of water on aqueous droplets in the transition regime

Abstract

The rate of condensation of water on single aqueous solution drops in the transition regime is measured with an electrodynamic balance. Observed characteristic relaxation times are compared with those predicted theoretically to determine the thermal accommodation coefficient, which is found to be unity (consistent with the accepted value in the literature). Due to the large heat of vaporization of water and the experimental conditions used, the relaxation time is relatively insensitive to the water mass accommodation coefficient, although the data would support a value close to unity.

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