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Interceptional forces
Inertial impaction occurs when obstacles (e.g. liquid droplets) are directly in the path of the particle moving in the gas stream.
Sometimes the obstacle or target is offset slightly from the direct path of the moving particle. In this instance, as the particle approaches the edge of the obstacle, the obstacle may collect the particle through a process called interception. Interception is illustrated in the figure below.
Inertial impaction and interception are usually highly efficient for particles larger than 6-8 micrometers. They become progressively less effective as the size decreases. Impaction is not efficient for particles less than 0.3 micrometers due to their low inertia.