| Terminal Velocities of Different Size Droplets (and Particles) | ||||
|
Diameter [μm] |
Terminal Velocity |
Type of Droplet (Particle) |
||
|
[m/s] |
[ft/s] |
Time Required to Fall 1 Meter |
||
| 0.2 | 0.000 000 1 | 0.000 000 3 | 4 months | (Condensation nucleus) |
| 20 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 100 sec | Typical cloud droplet (or mist) |
| 100 | 0.27 | 0.9 | 3.7 sec | Large cloud droplet (or drizzle) |
| 200 | 0.70 | 2.3 | 1.4 sec | |
| 1000 | 4.0 | 13.1 | 0.25 sec | Small raindrop |
| 2000 | 6.5 | 21.4 | 0.15 sec | Typical raindrop |
| 5000 | 9.0 | 29.5 | 0.11 s | Largest raindrops* |
*Raindrops with diameters greater than ~5 mm are unstable because of the
large drag forces on them due to their considerable rate
of fall. As a result they break into smaller
fragments.