Does higher pressure cause larger or smaller droplets?

Higher pressure indeed results in smaller droplets. The relationship between pressure and droplet size can be explained through the mechanics of atomization, which is the process of breaking liquid into droplets, often used in pesticide application, sprays, or similar methods.

When the pressure is increased during the spraying process, the liquid is forced through a nozzle at a higher velocity. This high velocity shears the liquid into finer particles, producing smaller droplets. Smaller droplets are typically beneficial in applications where greater coverage and better dispersion are desired, such as when trying to uniformly distribute a pesticide over a large area or penetrate dense foliage.

Larger droplets, on the other hand, may be formed at lower pressures, where the liquid is expelled more slowly, resulting in coarser sprays. This correlation between pressure and droplet size emphasizes the importance of understanding equipment settings and their impact on the effectiveness of application techniques.