A numerical study on the mechanism of splashing

The impact of a single drop on a liquid film is studied numerically by solv ing the Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible fluids in three dimensio ns. The extension dynamics of the splashing lamella is analyzed and compare d with theoretical results from the literature. Physically reasonable numer ical results for the disintegration of the splashing lamella are obtained b y applying disturbances to the liquid film and to the drop. It is shown tha t for the conditions considered here the Rayleigh instability is a possible driving mechanism for the formation of cusps at the free rim of the splash ing lamella. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.