Measurement of the Single and Size-Classified Raindrops

To Characterize the single raindrops as a function of their size we designed the sampling and handling apparatuses. Samplings of single and size- classified raindrops were performed at a height of 20m above the ground level of a Kyoto University building located in Uji, Japan in rain events from middle of July to the end of August, 1999. And PIXE method was applied to the analysis of single raindrops sampled as a function of their size. Diameter change of frozen raindrops by liquid nitrogen did nto affect the size segregation ability of our sampling apparatus. The number of raindrops increases with decreasing drop size. And it is found that the size distribution of raindrops verified depends on the rain events. Application of PIXE analysis to the measurement of single raindrops was very successful. Every element showed a continuous increase in concentration with decreasing raindrop diameter. It seems reasonable to say that our work should be helpful to obtain more detailed information on single raindrops and especially to study on the rainout and washout mechanisms.