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Raindrops Carry Electrical Charges, Study Finds
Confirmed
In Short: Raindrops are not just water but tiny lightning bolts, according to a new study that could explain why they corrode cars.
Raindrops, long thought to be merely water, are actually tiny lightning bolts, a new study reveals. This finding, led by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, shows that these droplets carry electrical charges large enough to puncture protective coatings, potentially explaining why rain corrodes surfaces. The study, published in PLoS ONE, demonstrates that when raindrops strike a surface, they discharge locally, causing localized damage similar to a small flash of lightning. This discovery could have significant implications for industries dealing with corrosion and protective coatings.
The study’s lead author, Zhongyuan Ni, explains, 'When such charged droplets strike a coating, they discharge locally and can puncture the layer in specific spots like a small flash of lightning — with consequences for the coating's durability.' This phenomenon, known as 'slide electrification,' has only been properly quantified in recent years, according to Ars Technica. The standard explanation for rain corrosion involves water carrying dissolved salts and acids, constant drumming abrasion, and oxygen. However, the new study shows that the electrical charge of raindrops can directly damage protective coatings.
Dr. Rigosi and co-authors from Lund University and the University of Adelaide used intracellular recording to measure the electrical responses of photoreceptors in four bee species and both sexes of each. The reason for this electrical charge seems to be related to how energy-producing structures called mitochondria move through nerve cells, according to Scientific American. The study highlights the complex interactions between electrical charges and biological systems, suggesting that further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings.
According to ScienceAlert, a first-of-its-kind study published in PLOS Medicine shows that the way we break up and accumulate periods of prolonged rest throughout the day may have a significant impact on health. The study found that for every extra hour of prolonged sitting in the day, people faced a higher risk of cancer and cancer mortality. The good news is that breaking up your sitting time with something as simple as a short walk could be protective.
What's confirmed
- Raindrops, long thought to be merely water, are actually tiny lightning bolts, a new study reveals. This finding, led by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, shows that these droplets carry electrical charges large enough to puncture protective coatings, potentially explaining why rain corrodes surfaces. The study, published in PLoS ONE, demonstrates that when raindrops strike a surface, they discharge locally, causing localized damage similar to a small flash of lightning. This discovery could have significant implications for industries dealing with corrosion and protective coatings.
- The study’s lead author, Zhongyuan Ni, explains, 'When such charged droplets strike a coating, they discharge locally and can puncture the layer in specific spots like a small flash of lightning — with consequences for the coating's durability.' This phenomenon, known as 'slide electrification,' has only been properly quantified in recent years, according to Ars Technica. The standard explanation for rain corrosion involves water carrying dissolved salts and acids, constant drumming abrasion, and oxygen. However, the new study shows that the electrical charge of raindrops can directly damage protective coatings.
- Dr. Rigosi and co-authors from Lund University and the University of Adelaide used intracellular recording to measure the electrical responses of photoreceptors in four bee species and both sexes of each. The reason for this electrical charge seems to be related to how energy-producing structures called mitochondria move through nerve cells, according to Scientific American. The study highlights the complex interactions between electrical charges and biological systems, suggesting that further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings.
- According to ScienceAlert, a first-of-its-kind study published in PLOS Medicine shows that the way we break up and accumulate periods of prolonged rest throughout the day may have a significant impact on health. The study found that for every extra hour of prolonged sitting in the day, people faced a higher risk of cancer and cancer mortality. The good news is that breaking up your sitting time with something as simple as a short walk could be protective.
What's still developing
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