Nederbördsdroppar

Nederbördsdroppar, commonly known as raindrops, are liquid water droplets that have condensed from atmospheric water vapor and subsequently fallen to Earth's surface as precipitation. These drops form within clouds when water vapor molecules collect on microscopic particles, such as dust or salt, a process called condensation. As more water vapor condenses, the droplets grow.

When a droplet becomes sufficiently large and heavy, gravity overcomes the upward air currents within the cloud, and it begins to fall. The size of raindrops can vary significantly, from very small drizzle droplets (less than 0.5 mm in diameter) to large raindrops (over 5 mm in diameter). The shape of a raindrop is not perfectly teardrop-shaped as often depicted; in fact, larger raindrops tend to be flattened on the bottom due to air resistance, resembling a hamburger bun. Smaller droplets are more spherical.

The trajectory and impact of raindrops are influenced by factors such as wind, droplet size, and the surface they strike. Rain is a crucial component of the water cycle, replenishing freshwater sources like rivers, lakes, and groundwater, and supporting plant life. The intensity of rainfall is measured by the amount of precipitation that falls over a specific area in a given time.