The Smell of Rain | ScienceTake | The New York Times

Rainfall

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This drop of water falling on soil is
about to liberate the smell of rain,

which actually comes from
the earth, not the water.

The scientist at MIT who made this video

knew that much.

What they didn't know, but now

captured on video, is how it happens.

You have to have the right size drop,

falling at the right speed,

on the right surface.

As it hits the ground, it traps
tiny bubbles of air.

Those bubbles then burst from the drop

like fizz from champagne.

And they carry with them
the smell of the earth,

or the rain washed pavement,
or where ever they fall.

These bubbles are not just capturing

the molecules in the earth that smell good,

they could also be transporting

viruses or bacteria that cause diseases.

So its bound to be useful to learn

more about how it works.

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Rainfall