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Autoconversion rate is the rate at which water mass in the form of cloud droplets forms raindrops. An accretion rate can also be considered, consisting of the rate at which such cloud droplets accrete to existing raindrops. A distinction between the two is made by specifying a size (radius) above which a droplet is to be considered an existing raindrop. These rates are used in modeling atmospheres, such as Earth's. Depending upon the model's complexity, an estimate average rate may be provided, or a physical formula can be used to calculate it under varying circumstances.