It is well known that the theory of the quadrupolar relaxation rate, R1Q, may be expressed in liquids in terms of a time-dependent correlation function which describes the relative motion of the atoms. A new, intuitive approach to the correlation problem is developed, emphasising the effect of the close-range atomic encounters on the relaxation rate and an explicit T−½temperature dependence of the contribution to R1Qfrom such processes is demonstrated. Other contributions are discussed, but since the experimental measurements of the quadrupolar relaxation rate in liquid metals indicate a close proportionality to T−½it is suggested that the short-range collisions play the dominant role in determining the relaxation rate.