drops

Drops are small quantities of liquid that separate from a larger body and assume a roughly spherical shape under the influence of surface tension. They occur naturally, such as raindrops in the atmosphere, dew on surfaces, and spray from waves, and they can also be produced artificially through dripping, atomization, or spraying.

Their size ranges from micrometers to a few millimeters. In air, their fate is determined by gravity, air resistance, and evaporation. Surface tension keeps them cohesive; collisions can cause coalescence or breakup. Droplets can become part of aerosols when suspended and transported by air currents, influencing processes from weather to air quality.

In meteorology and environmental science, droplets are the basic units of rain, mist, and cloud formation. In agriculture, spray droplets deliver pesticides and fertilizers. In medicine, ophthalmic, nasal, or inhalation drops deliver drugs. In industry, atomization creates droplets for coatings, combustion, cooling, and spray drying. In research, droplet-based microfluidics uses droplets as tiny reactors for chemical and biological experiments. In consumer culture, the term drop often refers to the release of a new product, track, or fashion item.

Droplets encompass a range of phenomena, from the microscopic to the meteorological, and they play a central role in both natural processes and technological applications.