The Sound of a Drop

Accurate rainfall measurements play a crucial role in climate and weather models. However, current acoustic methods for measuring rainfall at sea overlook secondary sounds produced by some raindrops. When drops within a specific size range impact a liquid pool, a secondary sound is produced as the Worthington jet from the splash collapses. This project aims to incorporate these secondary sounds into existing models to improve acoustic rainfall measurements. Through a dimensional analysis, three parameters that influence the splash of a drop have been identified. Through experiments and simulations, a relationship between these parameters has been confirmed. The height of the Worthington jet has been empirically described and adjustments to acoustic models have been discussed.