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Shattering of Large Drops

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Abstract

THE purpose of this communication is to present some experimental results obtained during a laboratory investigation of the mechanism of the breakup of drops. Results of previous workers indicate that drop deformation and turbulent air flow are major factors in the break-up of drops suspended in the air stream of vertical wind tunnels. Shattering break-ups have been observed for drops 5–9 mm. in diameter as a result of sudden changes in the velocity of the wind stream, or as a result of collisions between drops1. The fragments from the disintegrations of one hundred parent drops between 9 and 12 mm. in diameter have been collected and a size distribution determined2. No account of the actual mechanism of break has come to our notice, although factors responsible for the deformation of drops between 5 and 7 mm. in diameter have been evaluated3.

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References

  1. Blanchard, D. C., Occasional Report No. 17, Project Cirrus.

  2. D'Albe, and Hidayetulla, Quart. J. Roy. Met. Soc., 81, 610 (1955).

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  3. McDonald, J. Meteor., 11, 478 (1954).

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MAGARVEY, R., TAYLOR, B. Shattering of Large Drops. Nature 177, 745–746 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/177745b0

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