Splash Formation by a Spherical Body Plunging into Water
Splashes caused by a spherical body plunging into water were investigated experimentally using a high speed CMOS camera. We categorized types of splash according to impact velocities of the sphere. Three types of splash were found: Type-I is a thin spire-type splash, Type-II is a mushroom-type splash with many droplets, and Type-III is a crown-type splash with many droplets. The reaction to the concave water surface attached to the sinking sphere is a cause of the Type-I splash. The film flow climbing up the sphere is a dominant cause of the Type-II splash. The velocity of the film flow, which is proportional to the impact velocity of the sphere, affects the fingers of the film flow, detaching of droplets, and maximum height of the Type-II splash. The Type-III crown-type splash is characterized by water jets with many droplets. A bulky air column in water is formed behind the sinking sphere, and longitudinal ridges and ripples on the surface of the air column were observed.
film flow visualization water splash solid sphere high speed cmos video camera