Which statement is true for larger hydrometeors regarding reflectivity?

The statement that ice is more reflective than water is true for larger hydrometeors when it comes to radar reflectivity. Reflectivity is influenced by the composition and size of the particles present in hydrometeors. Ice crystals tend to reflect radar waves more effectively than liquid water droplets, especially as the size of these particles increases.

This difference in reflectivity arises primarily from the physical properties of water and ice. Ice has a different dielectric constant and density compared to liquid water, which impacts how it interacts with radar wavelengths. In general, the larger and more complex structure of ice crystals can scatter the radar signals more effectively, resulting in higher reflectivity measurements.

In contrast, liquid water droplets, while still reflective, are not as effective as ice in scattering radar energy, particularly at larger diameters. Therefore, understanding the properties of the hydrometeors is crucial in interpreting radar data accurately, especially when assessing precipitation types or intensities in meteorological observations.