Pinching Dynamics and Satellite Droplet Formation in Symmetrical Droplet Collisions

In head-on collisions between two droplets, reflexive separation is frequently formed, showing tentative coalescence followed by disintegration into two primary drops. With higher impact inertia relative to surface tension, characterized by a Weber number (We), more satellite droplets are created be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2019-12, Vol.123 (23), p.234502-234502, Article 234502
Main Authors: Huang, Kuan-Ling, Pan, Kuo-Long, Josserand, Christophe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coalescing
Collisions
Computer simulation
Disintegration
Droplets
Fluid mechanics
Mechanics
Physics
Satellite observation
Surface tension
Symmetry
Weber number
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Summary:In head-on collisions between two droplets, reflexive separation is frequently formed, showing tentative coalescence followed by disintegration into two primary drops. With higher impact inertia relative to surface tension, characterized by a Weber number (We), more satellite droplets are created between the primary drops. In the symmetric configuration, the existing phenomenological models indicate the absence of satellite droplets at the onset We when the coalesced drops start to break. Supported by experimental and simulation evidence, here we demonstrate the exclusive formation of at least one droplet after pinch of the thread connecting the colliding drops. In accordance with the universal features of a thinning liquid filament approaching singularity as predicted by scaling theories of pinch-off, the mechanism of satellite droplet formation in the symmetrical impact of droplets is clarified. Via slight breaking of the symmetry, no satellite droplet can be observed, thus providing a possible interpretation for the discrepancy in the literature and implications for controlling undesirable drop formation.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.234502