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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Fast Imaging Technique to Study Drop Impact Dynamics of Non-Newtonian Fluids

Fast Imaging Technique to Study Drop Impact Dynamics of Non-Newtonian Fluids

Published on: March 5, 2014

Dynamics of squeezing fluids: clapping wet hands.

Sean Gart¹, Brian Chang, Brice Slama

¹Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061.

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

|September 17, 2013

Summary

Squeezing fluids rapidly ejects threads and droplets. This study reveals how rim instability and capillary forces lead to sparse droplet formation, differing from known splash phenomena.

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Area of Science:

Fluid Dynamics
Physics of Soft Matter
Experimental Physics

Background:

Fluid compression, such as during hand clapping, generates splashes.
Previous studies on splashes include transient crown splashes and continuous water bells.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally observe and analyze the process of fluid thread and droplet formation after squeezing.
To compare experimental data with theoretical models across different stages of the phenomenon.

Main Methods:

Laboratory experiments were designed to visualize fluid ejection after compression.
Measurements were compared with theoretical models covering early, intermediate, and late stages.
Analysis focused on rim dynamics and droplet break-up.

Main Results:

A rim forms at the outer edge of the expanding fluid sheet.
This rim becomes unstable and breaks into smaller droplets.
Droplet spacing is determined by initial capillary instability and remains constant during rim expansion, resulting in sparse droplet distribution.

Conclusions:

The observed droplet formation mechanism differs from known splash types due to transient fluid feeding and rim dynamics.
The study elucidates the interplay of lubrication forces, gravity, inertia, drag, and surface tension in rim formation and break-up.
Final ejected droplets are sparsely distributed due to stable capillary instability during rim expansion.