Air resistance, also known as drag, is a force that opposes the motion of an object through the air. It is caused by the collision of air molecules with the surface of the object, resulting in a slowing down of its movement.
When rain drops fall through the air, they experience air resistance which causes them to slow down. This is because the rain drops have a larger surface area compared to their weight, making it easier for air molecules to collide with them.
As rain drops fall, air resistance increases and slows down their speed. This is known as terminal velocity, which is the point where the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity pulling the rain drop down. At this point, the rain drop will continue to fall at a constant speed.
Air resistance does not directly affect the size of rain drops. However, as rain drops fall, they may collide with other rain drops, causing them to merge and form larger drops. This process is known as coalescence and can result in larger rain drops.
No, air resistance cannot be used to measure the mass of rain drops. This is because air resistance is affected by the size and shape of an object, as well as its speed. Therefore, it cannot be used as a reliable method for measuring the mass of rain drops.