The Complex Chemistry Behind the Rain’s Scent
This distinct aroma is due to three main chemical processes: petrichor, ozone generation, and geosmin production.1 Petrichor is the term used to describe the smell produced after rain falls on dry soil or rocks. The post-rain smell comes from airborne organic molecules mixing with mineral surfaces. When it doesn’t rain for some time, these molecules mix with other elements on a rock’s surface, releasing a combination of things that make up petrichor.2
The second chemical process involved in this unique pre-rain scent is the inclusion of ozone. During a thunderstorm, the electrical charges can heat oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere, which then can recombine into O3, ozone. Ozone has a sharp, pungent scent and is often described as akin to fresh linen.³ This smell is typically associated with the electricity-charged atmosphere of stormy weather rather than light rain.
CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE Advertisement:
A son took his mother to a nursing home, where he visited her from time to time. One day he was called because his mother was not feeling well
Experience Relief with a Simple Olive Oil and Salt Scrub for Joint Pain
Slow Cooker Apple Kielbasa Bites Recipe
Healthy Oat Cookies With Dried Fruit and Nuts
Herb-Infused Smothered Baked Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze!
11 best smelling houseplants to make your home smell amazing
Starbucks Employee Breaks Down In Tears After Being Scheduled To Work 8 Hours
How to look 10 years younger with Vaseline?
Why should you put salt on your doorstep? We discover the amazing truth!
