A simple apparatus suitable for observing the collisions between drops of fluids of various properties is described. Typical results are shown for experiments performed by undergraduate students using various types of fluids. The collisions take place under free-fall (zero-g) conditions, with analysis employing digital video. Two specific types of collisions are examined in detail, head-on collisions and peripheral, grazing collisions. The collisions for certain fluids illustrate many types of nuclear collisions and provide useful insight into these processes, including both fusion and non-fusion outcomes, often with the formation of exotic shapes or emission of secondary fragments. Collisions of other liquids show a more chaotic behavior, often resembling galactic collisions. As expected, the Weber number associated with a specific collision impact parameter is found to be the important quantity in determining the initial outcome of these colliding systems. The features observed resemble those reported by others using more elaborate experimental techniques.
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October 2015
PAPERS|
October 01 2015
Colliding nuclei to colliding galaxies: Illustrations using a simple colliding liquid-drop apparatus
F. D. Becchetti;
F. D. Becchetti
a)
Department of Physics,
University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1040
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S. L. Mack;
S. L. Mack
b)
Department of Physics,
University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1040
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W. R. Robinson;
W. R. Robinson
c)
Department of Physics,
University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1040
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M. Ojaruega
M. Ojaruega
d)
Department of Physics,
University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1040
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a)
Electronic mail: [email protected]
b)
Present address: Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529.
c)
Present address: Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695.
d)
Present address: Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.
Am. J. Phys. 83, 846–856 (2015)
Article history
Received:
August 05 2011
Accepted:
July 03 2015
Citation
F. D. Becchetti, S. L. Mack, W. R. Robinson, M. Ojaruega; Colliding nuclei to colliding galaxies: Illustrations using a simple colliding liquid-drop apparatus. Am. J. Phys. 1 October 2015; 83 (10): 846–856. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.4926958
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