FISSION OF DROPS INDUCED BY ANGULAR-MOMENTUM

The collisions of m = 0.3-2.0 g, v = 5-50 cm/s, mercury drops axe stud ied experimentally. A transition between a fusion and a fission outcom e is observed, and found to be influenced by angular momentum. The mas s dependence measured for the limiting angular momentum L(c)(ex) is co mpared with predictions L(c)(th) of a surface potential, the rotating liquid-drop model widely used in nuclear physics. A systematic L(c)(ex ) less-than-or-equal-to L(c)(th) discrepancy is found in these and in other drop collision data. Dynamical considerations, and the use of mo re elaborate surface shapes than those assumed by the model are found to reduce the disagreement.