If there was no dust (smoke, impurities) in the air, would raindrops form? If not, then would a total ocean planet be covered in clouds?

Question

If there was no dust (smoke, impurities) in the air, would raindrops form? If not, then would a total ocean planet be covered in clouds?

3 Answers

Answer Question

Answer 1

Walt O'Reagun answered

Good question.

I can think of at least one other instance that would cause rain ... Temperature. When the temperature caused the water to freeze, it would fall ... And perhaps turn back to water due to higher temperature at lower altitude ... Resulting in rain.

Answer 2

Tom Jackson answered

This is not really an answer, but perhaps it may give you some additional information that might be helpful:

http://www.briangwilliams.us/earths-atmosphere/supercooled-clouds-and-iceparticles-sublimation.html

Answer 3

Technically when you're using the term air it means a mixture of different elements and compounds not just oxygen or water molecules but can also include argon and other gases that's what can cause rain to form from those interactions in the upper atmosphere