If you increase the pressure in the spray nozzle, what happens to the droplets?

When the pressure in the spray nozzle is increased, the droplets that are produced become smaller. This phenomenon occurs due to the physics of fluid dynamics and spray mechanisms. Higher pressure forces the liquid through the nozzle at a greater velocity, which increases the shear forces acting on the liquid as it exits the nozzle. As the liquid is atomized, these forces break the liquid stream into finer droplets.

The smaller droplets created are advantageous for various applications, such as ensuring more rapid evaporation, improving coverage, and enhancing penetration of the applied material in pest control scenarios. The smaller size allows the droplets to remain suspended in the air for longer, increasing the effectiveness of the treatment and reducing drift, which can occur with larger droplets.

In contrast to the correct answer, larger droplets typically result from lower pressure, which does not provide enough energy to break the liquid into finer particles. Hence, increased pressure leads to smaller droplets rather than larger or unchanged sizes.