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The Smell of Rain Explained

Two MIT scientists have finally figured out the smell of rain (aka petrichor). As a raindrop falls, it traps tiny air bubbles beneath it, and if the ground conditions are right and the droplet hits the earth at a particular velocity, those air bubbles will push up through the raindrop and burst into the air. The result: that very unique aroma.

Via nytimes.com link opens in a new window

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