What happens to droplets smaller than 50 microns in size during aerial applications?

Droplets smaller than 50 microns in size tend to remain suspended in the air for a considerable amount of time. This phenomenon occurs because small particles or droplets have a low gravitational force acting on them relative to the drag forces of the air. As a result, they can be carried by wind currents over longer distances, which can lead to drift during aerial applications. This characteristic is crucial for aerial applicators to understand, as it can impact the precision and effectiveness of pesticide or fertilizer applications.

In contrast, larger droplets may fall more quickly to the ground due to increased weight and less influence from air currents. Immediate evaporation of small droplets is less common; instead, evaporation is usually more significant with larger droplets or those subjected to environmental factors. The idea that smaller droplets would increase in size due to pressure is also not accurate, as the mechanics of droplet formation and behavior do not support this claim. Thus, the behavior of small droplets suspended in the air is essential knowledge for successful aerial application and risk assessment regarding drift and non-target effects.