Droplet Study

Head-on collision of droplets has been simulated using the method of molecular dynamics. Recognizing that previous molecular dynamics simulations of this phenomenon have reported only coalescence, or shattering outcomes, our results show that the collision can actually result in either coalescence or bouncing of the colliding droplets. We however observed bouncing only within a narrow band of state conditions, and found that the ambient gas plays a significant, though not essential role in effecting bouncing collision.

A 3-D representation of bounce back collision of two droplets as a function of time at (a) t=0; (b) t=10,000; (c) t=20,000; (d) t=40,000; (e) t=70,000; (f) t= 100,000 time steps.