Drop splash on a dry, smooth surface: theory

In this presentation we develop a theoretical model that faithfully predicts, in wide ranges of values of the Ohnesorge and Reynolds numbers, the initial instant at which a high speed sheet is ejected as a result of the impact of a drop onto a dry, smooth substrate. Moreover, the model is able to faithfully reproduce the temporal evolution of the tip of the sheet. We also find that, while the role of the entrapped air bubble can be neglected in the sheet ejection process, the role of air is critical in the dewetting process of the tip of the sheet from the substrate. The splash transition predicted in the Re-Oh and gas to liquid viscosity ratio, agree well with experimental observations.