Encyclopedia of Science | Aerosols

• Classification
• Sources
• Words to Know
• Physical properties
• Synthetic production
• Combustion aerosols
• Environmental factors
• The dangers of aerosol sniffing

Aerosols are collections of tiny particles of solid and/or liquid suspended in a gas. The size of particles in an aerosol ranges from about 0.001 to about 100 microns. (A micron is one-millionth of a meter.) The most familiar form of an aerosol is the pressurized spray can, which can dispense anything from hair spray to enamel paint to whipping cream. Aerosols are produced by a number of natural processes and are now manufactured in large quantities for a...