Free Fall Breakup of Large Drops

Abstract

The breakup of large water drops during free fall is of importance to meteorologists. Theories of precipitation lean heavily on drop multiplication resulting from the shattering of large drops. An experiment is described in which the actual breakup of large drops is observed, and data obtained from which the mechanism of break may be inferred. Drops in the various stages of disintegration have been photographed and the size distribution of fragments noted. A large drop falling freely through the air deforms, inflates somewhat in the same manner as a parachute and bursts with considerable violence. The origin of various size groups of fragments and its significance in determining the observed size distribution has been noted. An experimental arrangement is described that permits a large number of photographs to be taken of all stages of disintegration.