The smell after a light rain is just so damn refreshing, most of us never stop to think about where that scent comes from. And that's why most of us are not researchers at MIT. As a new video shows, the impact of a rain drop on a porous surface traps tiny air bubbles which then come out the top in the form of spritzy aerosol. Heavy rain doesn't release nearly as many aerosols so this explains why the smell is stronger after light rains.
The actual scent is known as Petrichor and the effervescent aerosols are what bring the lovely scent to your nose. This same phenomenon can be found in the nozzle of a perfume bottle or a fart in a steamy shower. This research also sheds new light on how bacteria and viruses found in soil could be spread. There's a chance of rain today and tomorrow so keep your nose perked for a whiff of Petrichor. If you want to give your nerd muscles a workout, you can read more about it on MIT's news page.
[h/t to Huffington Post Science, photo courtesy WallartHD]
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