Browse raindrops Resources

The Anatomy of a Raindrop

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Water Properties, Remote Sensing

Type:

Video

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, General

Standards:

ESS2.C

Keywords:

rain, raindrops, drop size, drop distribution, microphysics

Summary:

Contrary to popular belief, raindrops are not tear shaped and are actually shaped like the top of a hamburger bun, round on the top and flat on the bottom. This new video from GPM explains why.

Listening to Water: Using Underwater Microphones to Measure Ocean Rainfall

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Technology

Type:

Website

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Keywords:

atmosphere, oceans, raindrops

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.C

Summary:

Find out how scientists use the distinct sounds made underwater by different size raindrops to measure rainfall.

Measuring Raindrops

Primary Topic:

Technology

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Water Properties, Tropical Cyclones

Type:

Lesson Plan

Audience:

Formal, 6 - 8, 9 - 12

Standards:

ESS2.C, ESS2.D

Keywords:

clouds, raindrops, cloud chamber, meteorology

Summary:

Students then collect and analyze data about the size and shapes of raindrops. Students have the opportunity to compare a 2-D representation to a 3-D representation to understand why scientists use multiple sources of data to study Earth Systems.