Interactive Weight Of Clouds Simulator

Weight of Clouds Simulator: Measuring the Atmospheric Mass

Created By: Ir. MD Nursyazwi

Inspired by the principle of universal quantification and the measurable scale of atmospheric water systems

This interactive module visualizes the continuous process of Evaporation and Condensation that leads to the massive, cumulative weight of a cloud, a testament to the order and precision in atmospheric physics.

Instructions on How To Use

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To operate the simulation, follow these steps:

• Locate the Data Input section to adjust Evaporation Rate, Condensation Cohesion, and Atmospheric Lift (Wind). Note how the Atmospheric Lift visibly creates the Stirring Wind effect. The Simulation Speed Multiplier will dynamically increase with high parameter inputs.
• Initiate the simulation by pressing the "Start" button. Water vapor will rise and attempt to form large, heavy droplets.
• Observe the Graphical Simulation section to see the real-time movement and aggregation of water particles. Notice how droplets blend to form a realistic cloud shape and darken as they become Heavy Clouds.
• Monitor the Data Output section for quantitative metrics like Total Cloud Mass (Weight) and the Droplet Size Index. The mass is displayed in both arbitrary units and real-world kg/tonnes using a defined meteorological scaling factor.
• The Graphs and Charts section visualizes the rate of mass accumulation and potential for rain.

Data Input: Atmospheric Parameters

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Modify these parameters to investigate their impact on cloud formation and the resultant water mass. The overall Simulation Speed is automatically adjusted based on the combined level of these inputs, ensuring fast results when inputs are high (under 30 seconds for max input settings).

Evaporation Rate (Input Mass):

Controls the speed at which Water Vapor enters the system, increasing the total potential mass available for the cloud.

Condensation Cohesion (Aggregation):

This models how readily vapor particles stick together (condense) to form larger, heavier Water Droplets. Higher cohesion increases mass accumulation speed.

Atmospheric Lift (Stirring Wind/Heat):

Represents upward air movement which opposes gravity. Higher lift allows the cloud to accumulate more mass before the droplets fall as Rain. Visually, this controls the Stirring Wind.

Nucleation Density (Seed Particles):

A proxy for the concentration of dust/salt particles (nucleation sites). High density provides more surfaces for rapid initial droplet formation.

Graphical Simulation: The Cloud Chamber (Realistic View)

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This canvas visualizes the dynamic growth and movement of water particles, tracking the transition from invisible vapor to visible, massive droplets in a layered atmospheric model. Observe the Stirring Wind moving upward from the ground.

Atmospheric Water Vapor (Invisible, Light Mass)

Aerosolized Condensation Nuclei (Seed Particles)

Cloud Droplets / Heavy Clouds (Blending, Darker with Mass)

Rain Hydrometeors (Fallen Mass)

Data Output: Mass Accumulation and Rainfall Potential

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Real-time quantitative data derived from the simulation, focusing on the measurable mass of the atmospheric system.

Simulation Speed Multiplier: 1x

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Total Water Vapor Particles: 0

Water Droplets (Cloud Volume): 0

Droplet Size Index: 0

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Total Cloud Mass (Arbitrary Units): 0.00

Estimated Mass (Kilograms): 0 kg

Estimated Mass (Tonnes): 0.00 tonne

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Accumulated Rainfall (Fallen Mass): 0.00

*The estimated mass in Kilograms and Tonnes uses a scaling factor (1 a.u. ≈ 100 kg) based on typical atmospheric water density averages for demonstration purposes.

Graphs and Charts

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This chart visualizes the dynamic accumulation of mass within the cloud system over time, tracking the system's weight.

Scientific and Theological Principles: Heavy Clouds and Order

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The Dynamics of Condensation and Critical Mass

The formation of a "heavy cloud" (سَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ) is a rigorous physical process governed by two non-linear thermodynamic principles: the Adiabatic Cooling driven by Atmospheric Lift (our wind parameter) and the physics of Collision-Coalescence (our cohesion parameter).

1. The Lifting Condensation Level (LCL)

As moist air rises (driven by Atmospheric Lift), it expands and cools adiabatically. The Lifting Condensation Level (LCL) is the precise altitude at which the air mass cools to its dew point, causing water vapor to condense into microscopic droplets.

The LCL altitude (Z_LCL) can be approximated using the relationship between surface temperature (T) and dew point temperature (T_d):

Z_LCL ≈ 125 × (T - T_d)

Where Z_LCL is in meters. In this simulation, the Cloud Base visualization line represents this physical boundary where condensation (droplet creation) begins.

2. The Quantification of Mass: Terminal Velocity & Rainfall Potential

A cloud droplet must grow from micro-scale (Radius ≈ 10 μm) to macro-scale (Radius ≈ 1000 μm or 1 mm) before it can overcome the Atmospheric Lift and fall as rain. This transition is defined by its Terminal Velocity (V_t), the maximum speed a droplet reaches when the gravitational force equals the atmospheric drag force.

For small droplets (Stoke's regime), the terminal velocity is approximated by the following formula:

V_t = (2 · R² · (Density_l - Density_a) · G) / (9 · μ)

Where: R is the droplet radius, Density_l is the density of liquid water, Density_a is the density of air, G is gravity, and μ (Mu) is the dynamic viscosity of air.

• Calculation Insight: Since V_t is proportional to the square of the radius (R²), a small increase in the Droplet Size Index (achieved through high Condensation Cohesion) results in a rapid increase in the droplet's falling speed, directly leading to heavy rain.

3. Mass-Radius Cubic Relationship

The mass (M) of a spherical water droplet is inherently defined by its volume (V) and the density of water (Density_l):

M = Density_l · V = Density_l · (4/3) · π · R³

This cubic relationship explains why a factor of 10x increase in radius leads to a 1000x increase in mass. Our Total Cloud Mass output is a direct measure of this aggregated M across all droplets, providing the empirical link to the concept of "heavy clouds."

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرِيكُمُ ٱلْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَيُنْشِئُ ٱلسَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ

Quran 13:12
"It is He who shows you the lightning, [giving] fear and hope, and originates the heavy [laden with water] clouds (سَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ)."

• Mass and Burden: The term سَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ (Al-Sahaba Al-Thiqal) means "the heavy clouds." This directly validates the scientific focus on weight as the defining characteristic of a mature, rain-bearing cloud system, requiring a precise, measurable density of water.
• The Quantitative Nature of Water: The entire water cycle is a demonstration of orderly, quantitative physics, where mass accumulation adheres strictly to the laws of growth and terminal velocity.

The Dynamics of Wind, Spreading, and Fragmentation - Quran 30:48

The role of Wind (Atmospheric Lift) is critical, as it is the initial force that gathers vapor and shapes the cloud structure, followed by the breaking apart (Fragmentation) of dense cloud masses before precipitation. The simulation's Atmospheric Lift slider directly models this initial force and creates the visual Stirring Wind effect.

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُۥ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَٰلِهِۦ ۖ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

Quran 30:48
"It is God Who sends the winds, and they stir up clouds, and He spreads them in the sky however He wills, and He makes them fragments, and you see the rain emerge from within them. And when He causes it to fall upon whom He wills of His servants, immediately they rejoice."

References

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For further academic inquiry, the following sources provide detailed information on cloud physics and atmospheric dynamics:

• NASA Earth Observatory. "The Role of Clouds in Climate."
• NATO Advanced Science Institute (ASI). "The Stratosphere and Its Role in the Climate System."
• Pruppacher, H. R., & Klett, J. D. (1997). "Microphysics of Clouds and Precipitation."
• Saheeh International. "The Quran (Interpretation)."

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