Question

Raindrops can fall at different speeds; some fall quite quickly, others quite slowly. Why might this be true?

Answer 1

Answer 2

raindrops are NOT IN FREE FALL , air resistance is a significant factor. We can assume that the drops reach terminal speed before hitting ground.

bigger drops experience a GREATER downward gravitational force than small drops because they have more mass.

however, bigger drops also experience a greater upward air resistance drag force because their cross-sectional area is largr. but these two effects do not grow at the same time, the mass (hence the downward force) grows with r^3 while cross sectional growth with r^2.

therefore,as the size of drop increases, the downward force grows faster than the upward force. so larger, more massive fall FASTER than the smaller drops

Answer 3

$\fn_jvn 1.)\; are\;not\;in\;free\;fall\\ 2.)\;greater\\ 3.)\; r^3\\ 4.)\; r^2\\ 5.)\; faster$