raindrops ; air resistance is a significant factor. we can assume that the drops reach terminal speed before hitting the ground.target 1 of 5 bigger drops experience a downward gravitational force than small drops because they have more mass.target 2 of 5 however, bigger drops also experience a greater upward air resistance drag force because their cross-sectional area is larger. but these two effects do not grow at the same rate; the mass (and hence the downward force) grows with blank, while the cross-sectional area grows with blank.target 3 of 5target 4 of 5 therefore, as the size of drops increases, the downward force grows faster than the upward force. so larger, more massive drops fall blank than smaller drops.