Abstract
Under some conditions, a water droplet can bounce on a flat water surface. This paper contains a qualitative analysis of the bouncing phenomenon that leads to try to obtain drops with a nearly tangential incidence, the smallest radius and the highest velocity possible. We describe the experimental setup that we built, able to throw unique droplets at typical speed v ~ 1 m.s−1 , radius R ~ 4 × 10−4 m and impact angle θ ~ 15° with respect to the surface. Up to 4 bounces were experimentally observed. The experimental results’ plot shows the statistical behaviour of the bouncing process: the initial conditions are not sufficient to predict the trajectory and consequently the number of bounces.
Highlights
When a water droplet impacts a flat water surface, four different behaviours can be observed [1]: coalescence, floating, bouncing and splashing (Fig. 1)
An analogy can be made with a skipping stone: under specific experimental conditions, the stone can bounce one or several times on the water surface [2]
We had to determine a range of impact parameters with a high probability to bounce at least once
Summary
When a water droplet impacts a flat water surface, four different behaviours can be observed [1]: coalescence, floating, bouncing and splashing (Fig. 1). In the case of a water drop impacting a water surface, the droplet can merge with the rest of the water after the collision: this is coalescence. This impact can cause a splashing phenomenon, with the production of secondary droplets [1]. The purpose of this paper is to devise an experimental setup to make a water droplet bounce several times on a water surface. To achieve this goal, we built an apparatus capable of throwing water drops on a still water surface at a controlled speed, size and impact angle.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
