Nature’s Cooling vs. Man-made Comfort

When Does it Rain?

Rain occurs when the water from high-pressure areas like the Indian Ocean evaporates and rises into the atmosphere. This moisture then enters India and moves over coastal regions like Goa, Mumbai, and Kerala. Gradually, this vapor condenses and falls as rain over these areas and eventually spreads across the entire Indian subcontinent.

Where Does It Rain?

 Rain primarily occurs in three types of areas: places with excessive water vapor, mountainous regions, and dense forests.

When the evaporated water from the ocean spreads over land, the resulting clouds can only form rain when they come into contact with a cold area.

Role of Mountains in Rainfall:

For instance, when evaporated water from the ocean spreads over land and encounters a mountain, it is forced to rise. As the vapor rises, it cools, leading to rainfall.

Role of Trees in Rainfall:

Trees contribute to rainfall by creating humidity on the underside of their leaves. The moisture expelled upwards by trees cools, and when it comes into contact with warm vapor, it increases the chances of rain.

The Process of Humidity Formation:

Let’s understand how humidity is formed. As we all know, plants perform photosynthesis using sunlight. Through this process, plants create food for themselves. Carbon dioxide, water, and chlorophyll play crucial roles in this process.

In the process of photosynthesis, a total of 12 water molecules and 6 carbon dioxide molecules are used. Out of these, 6 water molecules are used to create the plant’s food. The remaining water is stored in organelles called chloroplasts with the help of chlorophyll and sunlight. The green color of leaves is also due to this chlorophyll.

There are small pores called stomata in the leaves, which facilitate the exchange of gases during the day. In the morning, carbon dioxide enters the leaves through these stomata. The plant then absorbs the water stored in the soil through its roots.

When this water and carbon dioxide combine inside the leaf, the plant produces glucose and oxygen. This glucose is the main component of the plant’s food. And that oxygen is released through the stomata, allowing the entire Earth to breathe.

However, the remaining 6 water molecules in this process evaporate and rise upwards. This is when the possibility of rain increases.

How an Air Conditioner Works and Its Environmental Impact

An air conditioner primarily consists of two types of coils. One is located inside the room, known as the evaporator, and the other is located outside, called the condenser. These two coils are connected to each other. Let’s discuss its operation, which is quite simple.

Function of the Evaporator: The evaporator’s job is to remain colder than the room temperature. It absorbs all the heat from inside the room and transfers that heat to the condenser with the help of a special type of gas.

Function of the Condenser: The condenser releases that heat outside the room, i.e., into the environment. A fan is used to speed up this process.

Other Parts of the AC:

An air conditioner contains two other crucial components:

• Compressor: This component alters the state of the gas within the evaporator, also known as the refrigerant. By increasing the pressure of the refrigerant, the heat absorbed from the room is expelled even further. Consequently, the heat released into the environment through the condenser is significantly hotter compared to the normal room temperature. As this heat is expelled via the refrigerant, it transforms into a liquid state.
  
• Expansion Valve: This valve reconverts the liquid refrigerant, which originates from the condenser, back into a gaseous state. It then directs this gas towards the evaporator located inside the room. This process operates in a cyclical manner.
  

Environmental Impact:

Air conditioners release excessive heat into the external environment, contributing to global warming. Moreover, if the refrigerants used in air conditioners are not disposed of properly, they can be harmful to the environment. The chemical composition of many refrigerants damages the ozone layer and exacerbates the greenhouse effect.

Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of air conditioner usage and prioritize environmental care.

That’s all for today. Best wishes from Sci-fi Note. Stay well, stay healthy, keep the environment healthy, and keep your love for science alive. Thank you.