Edge effect: Liquid sheet and droplets formed by drop impact close to an edge

Abstract

Asymmetric liquid sheet fragmentation is ubiquitous in nature and potentially shapes critical phenomena such as rain-induced propagation of foliar diseases. In this experimental study, we investigate the formation and fragmentation of a liquid sheet upon impact of a drop close to the edge of a solid substrate. Both the impact Weber number and the offset, the distance from the impact point to the edge, are systematically varied. Their influence on the kinematics of the liquid sheet and the subsequent statistics of droplet ejection are rationalized. Three major asymmetry scenarios are identified and linked to distinct droplet ejection patterns. Scaling laws are proposed to rationalize these scenarios based on impact parameters.