Cloud Seed Have you ever wondered how it can suddenly start raining or snowing and then stop as quickly as it started? It may have more to do with chemistry and less to do with nature than you think. One of the main ways researchers have figured out how to do this is through cloud seeding. Some people say cloud seeding is harmful, while others say it helps due to environmental factors such as drought. The cloud seeding process involves many factors, including different chemicals and delivery methods. According to Weatherquestions.com “Cloud seeding is the process of spreading dry ice, or more commonly, silver iodide aerosols, into the tops of clouds to try to stimulate the precipitation process and form rain. Since most precipitation begins through the growth of ice crystals from supercooled cloud droplets (droplets colder than the freezing point, 32 degrees F or 0 degrees C) in the upper parts of the clouds, the silver iodide particles they are intended to encourage the growth of new ice particles.” (What is cloud seeding?) This means they are using chemicals to stimulate the falling water. There are three different types of cloud seeding used by scientists. These are static cloud seeding, dynamic cloud seeding and hygroscopic cloud seeding. The first type of cloud seeding is called static cloud seeding. This happens when a chemical called silver iodide is shot into the cloud causing it to fall. According to How Stuff Works “Silver iodide provides a crystal around which moisture can condense. Moisture is already present in clouds, but silver iodide essentially makes rain clouds more effective at distributing water." (Silverman) The second type of cloud seeding used is called dynamic cl...... middle of paper... ...of several cloud seeding projects indicated small percentage increases in precipitation extending up to 100 miles downwind of predicted areas of effect on projects that had indications of increases in the predicted target area (. Dennis,Brown,Long,Solak)So, in conclusion, whether rain and snow are caused by nature or a man-made chemical, we may never know for sure researchers cause precipitation, and many more are to come. Some believe that trying to play God and use chemicals to change the weather is wrong. They also believe that it is dangerous for the Earth and its inhabitants, while others look forward to the steps giant allowed by the ability to manipulate time. Cloud seeding is a very complex process involving many different chemical compounds and a process with more on the way.