WATER DROP REBOUND PROBLEM: DYNAMICS OF COLLISION.

Abstract

A method for studying the dynamics of liquid drops by numerical integration of the Navier-Stokes equations is used to examine the motion of colliding drops, with application to the raindrop problem. Consideration is limited to drops of nearly equal size impacting along their line of centers. The numerical solutions are developed to study the problem of water drop rebound in the presence of air. The internal motion of the drop, changes in the surface configuration, and the associated energetics of the collision are discussed. The variations with impact speed are presented. Calculations are made for drops of 40 mu m to 1 mm diameter. Comparison of the results with available experimental data shows good agreement.