About how large can raindrops get? Why can't they get any larger?

What will be an ideal response?


ANSWER: Raindrops that reach Earth's surface are seldom larger than about 5 mm (0.2 in.), the reason being that the collisions (whether glancing or head-on) between raindrops tend to break them up into many smaller drops. Additionally, when raindrops grow too large they become unstable and break apart.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

You might also like to view...

Which of the following is NOT true regarding clay minerals?

A. Precipitate out of magmas. B. Are extremely small compared to sand-sized grains. C. Are a rock forming mineral group. D. Form when feldspar and ferromagnesian minerals break down. E. Are a major component of soils.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Midlatitude cyclones contain several well-defined channels of air called ________

A) fronts B) Rossby waves C) the eye D) the stratus layer E) the conveyor belt

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

After a plankton bloom, nonconservative nutrients are produced in high levels. Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Energy of motion is also known as:

a. dynamic energy. b. kinetic energy. c. sensible heat energy. d. static energy. e. latent heat energy.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences