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Why does rain not hurt when it hits you, even though it falls from an average height of 2 kilometers (around 6500 feet)?

Dr. Aris Thorne
Dr. Aris Thorne
Senior Science Editor · Jan 6, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

every object falling through the air has a terminal velocity based upon air density, object density, and frictional forces. A drop of water weighs so little, and falls through the air at relatively low speeds, that it hardly has any force behind it at all.

45
Words

1 min
Read Time

#338
of 500 in Nature

-37%
vs Category Avg

The Short Answer

every object falling through the air has a terminal velocity based upon air density, object density, and frictional forces. A drop of water weighs so little, and falls through the air at relatively low speeds, that it hardly has any force behind it at all.

Analysis

Key Concepts: Object, density, every

This explanation focuses on object, density, every and spans 45 words across 2 sentences. At 37% below the average Nature explanation (71 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.

What This Answer Covers

This is a focused, single-point answer that gets directly to the core of the question without detours.

How This Compares in Nature

Ranked #338 of 500 Nature questions by answer depth (top 68%). This is in the concise tier — a focused explanation that prioritizes clarity over exhaustiveness. Many readers prefer this level of directness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why rain not hurt when it hits you, even though it falls from an average height of 2 kilometers (around 6500 feet)?

every object falling through the air has a terminal velocity based upon air density, object density, and frictional forces. A drop of water weighs so little, and falls through the air at relatively low speeds, that it hardly has any force behind it…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Nature questions?

This is a focused answer at 45 words, ranked #338 of 500 Nature questions by depth. The key concepts covered are object, density, every.

What approach does this answer take to explain rain not hurt when it hits you, even though it falls from an?

The explanation uses direct explanation across 45 words. It is categorized under Nature and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.