You may have noticed that the air smells different on rainy days. Scientists call the fresh fragrance “petrichor.” Raindrops hit the soil or plants. Then, they quickly trap scents from the surfaces of the soil or plants. The scents are from bacteria in the soil or from oil on the leaves of wet plants. Raindrops release the odors from nature into the air as they burst.
You may have noticed that the air smells different on rainy days. Scientists call the fresh fragrance “petrichor.” Raindrops hit the soil or plants. Then, they quickly trap scents from the surfaces of the soil or plants. The scents are from bacteria in the soil or from oil on the leaves of wet plants. Raindrops release the odors from nature into the air as they burst.