Structural Pest Control Applicator Practice Exam

How should you change pressure to reduce liquid droplet drift?

1. Reduce pressure to increase droplet size

2. Increase pressure to increase droplet size

3. Reduce pressure to reduce droplet size

4. Increase pressure to reduce droplet size

The correct answer is: Reduce pressure to increase droplet size

To effectively reduce liquid droplet drift, reducing the pressure in the spraying equipment is the proper method. When you reduce the pressure, the force at which the liquid is expelled through the nozzle decreases, resulting in larger droplets being formed. Larger droplets are less likely to be carried away by wind and air currents, minimizing the drift that can occur, especially in windy conditions. This principle hinges on the relationship between droplet size and pressure. Higher pressure tends to break the liquid into smaller droplets, which can lead to increased drift because smaller droplets have a greater surface area-to-volume ratio and are more susceptible to air movement. Thus, managing pressure is a critical aspect of achieving effective pest control while minimizing environmental impact.