Consequently, curvature can affect the vapor pressure over droplets. Concave curvature toward the vapor phase lowers the vapor pressure while convex curvatures increase the vapor pressure of the droplet. Gibbs Free Energy is also useful in determining the solubility of ionic compounds in water. It turns out that solubility is the critical factor in determining the suitability of aerosols as condensation nuclei. Hydrophobic aerosols create a higher vapor pressure than a pure water droplet with the same radius.
Neutral aerosols have negligible effects on the condensation process.
Hydroscopic aerosols lower the vapor pressure surrounding the droplet. The disassociation of ions in water is the subject of many chemistry inquiries and a process where Gibbs Free Energy seems to play an important role. Aerosols composed of less reactive molecules are not effective condensation nuclei. The solution effect is critical to the formation of liquid droplets at reasonable saturation levels. Aerosols with very small diameters are also poor condensation nuclei.