What happens to the terminal velocity of a droplet as its size increases?

The terminal velocity of a droplet refers to the constant speed that the droplet reaches when the force of gravity pulling it downward is balanced by the drag force acting upward against it. As the size of a droplet increases, its mass increases as well. This increase in mass leads to a greater gravitational force acting on the droplet. Simultaneously, although the drag force also increases due to a larger surface area that encounters resistance from the air, the increase in gravitational force is more substantial.

Consequently, larger droplets fall faster because they have more weight relative to the drag force acting upon them. Therefore, as droplet size increases, its terminal velocity also increases, reflecting a direct relationship between size and fall speed under the influence of gravity and air resistance. This understanding is crucial for aerial application of pesticides, as it impacts how the droplets settle and disperse, ultimately affecting the efficacy of the pesticides used.