Water entry of small hydrophobic spheres on an axisymmetric wavefield

Hydrophobic spheres can entrain air upon water entry, a process with implications for naval and environmental applications. While most prior studies have focused on impact onto quiescent baths, real-world conditions often involve wavy or unsteady interfaces. In this talk, we investigate the influence of surface waves on the water entry dynamics of hydrophobic spheres. Using axisymmetric standing waves generated by a heaving cylindrical wavemaker, we conduct experiments to reveal the role of wave phase, amplitude, and frequency on air entrainment. In particular, we discuss how these factors influence the evolution of the cavity and curtain, and how alterations in each affect the type of cavity closure.