Introduction

     In this project, liquids of differing properties were dropped into each other, in order to observe distinguishing characteristics of the splashes.  Worthington discusses two types of splashes that apply to our experimentation of dual liquid splashes. 

            1) Liquid A into Liquid A

Figure 1. Figure 2.

During a low drop involving a liquid dropped into itself (height no greater than 40 cm), there are several key characteristics that are observed.  When the droplet first hits the surface of the water, an air bubble is formed (Fig. 1) that immediately forms a column (Fig. 2). The interior of the crater formed is lined by the original drop (Fig. 1), and the original drop is present at the head of the central column (Fig. 2) that forms directly after the crater collapses.  Separation of the droplet at the head of the column is dependent on the height of the fall.  Two cakes (elevated circular ripples) are formed if the droplet does not separate, but if the droplet separates, the ripples form sooner because the quickly falling column is influenced by surface tension.

            2) A rough sphere into a liquid. 

    When a rough sphere is dropped into a liquid, Worthington notes that the most distinguishing characteristic is the high jet that results from the splash. These splashes occur when a small rough sphere is dropped into a liquid. The rough sphere enters, breaking up the liquid and causing many ripples. The rough sphere drops through the liquid, and a high column results. 

            Applications to the Dual Liquid Experiment

    Worthington's experiments apply to our study of splashes. The Liquid A into Liquid A experiment is the basic concept for all splashes. It describes many of the basic characteristics of splashes. The rough sphere into a liquid comes into play because most of our experimentation was with liquids that were not soluble in each other. Because the liquids will not mix, the liquid dropped (Liquid A) into the second (Liquid B) acts as a rough sphere, ejecting a high column of Liquid B. 

            References

Worthington, A.M. A Study of Splashes. The Macmillan Co. New York. 1963.

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The above photographs are of petroleum ether into petroleum ether with backlighting.