Energy dependence of impact fragmentation of long glass rods

We have performed an experimental study of impact fragmentation with a focu s on the dependence on the energy input. Long glass rods were dropped horiz ontally onto the ground from seven different heights. We find that the ener gy dependence is better characterized by studying the differential mass dis tribution rather than the cumulative mass distribution. For lower dropping heights, the differential mass distribution is well approximated by one pow er law while for higher heights, it has to be represented by two power laws . Moreover, the power-law exponent for small mass fragments increases and a pproaches an asymptotic value as the dropping height is increased. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.