How do Airplanes paint the sky White?

During our childhood days, most of us loved the sight of an airplane wheezing past over our head, high up in the clear, blue sky. At times, the plane left a white trail behind. Many kids credited it to rocket, destined to the outer world. It wasn't until class 4, when the mystery of the 'white linear clouds' was resolved by my dad. But do you know the reason for the formation of trail?
Let us understand the science behind it.

Why do jets leave a white trail in the sky?

What are the white trails formed by a jet?

When an air plane flies high in earth's atmosphere, we at times see it leaving a trail, that tells the 'road' travelled. The reason behind this phenomenon is 'Condensation'. The exhaust from the plane, pumps water vapour in the air, which on mixing with the outside cold air, condense quickly to form a 'white cloud', as viewed from the ground. These are, in science terminology, called 'Contrails', short for Condensation trails.

Why some trails are lean while other scatter?

The contrails either spread out, or just disappear, based on the air. If the air is moist, the trail persists and can be witnessed for a longer duration. On the other hand, if the air is dry, the trail is fine or even at times, no trail is formed. Hence, the region into which a plane is flying, determines the trail formation.

Nerd notes:
1) The plane exhaust is a mix of Carbon dioxide, Oxides of Sulphur & Nitrogen, unburnt fuel, soot and water vapour
2) The soot and particles in the mix form the Condensation sites
3) Short lived contrail --> Low humidity --> Good Weather
4) Thick and long contrail --> Humid Air --> Unkind Weather

Thanks for reading. Hope you liked the post.

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- Prakhar

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