Why are falling drops of water spherical?
1 Answer
They aren't.
Explanation:
Initially water droplets form as spheres as the shape is what is expected with uniform pressure and surface tension, but unless the water drop is only falling a very short distance, water droplets do not remain spherical.
If you look at close up pictures captured of raindrops you will see that small rain drops are flattened on the bottom while larger raindrops begin to take a parachute shape. This is all due to air friction.
I tried to find some good pictures but it isn't easy. However here is one of a few different forms.
http://news.sciencemag.org/2009/07/how-raindrop-exploding-parachute
