A Comprehensive Study of Mass Accretion and Atmospheric Effect of Raindrop

Abstract

The mass accretion of a raindrop in different layers of the atmosphere is not dealt with so far. A comprehensive brief study of the motion of raindrops through the atmosphere (i) without mass accretion, (ii) with mass accretion and (iii) finally pressure variation in the atmosphere with altitude using Bernoulli’s equation is illustrated. Acquirement of mass from moist air is mass accretion and mass accretion during the motion of raindrop through resistive medium holds an arbitrary power-law equation. Bernoulli’s equation when applied to it, the generalized first-order differential equation is reduced to a polynomial equation. Results show a single intersecting point of approximate terminal velocity 1 m/s and mass 10-06 mg as illustrated. Terminal velocity is achieved within 25 sec. There is the approximate exponential growth of terminal velocity. An increase in momentum is due to mass accretion during motion. Various conditions of no mass accretion and mass accretion show the same result while for atmospheric effect using Bernoulli’s equation the first-order differential equation reduces to a polynomial equation.