Deformation and Fragmentation of Freezing Water Drops in Free Fall

Abstract

Freezing experiments of freely falling water drops 100 to 800μ in diameter were carried out in an open field at about -20°C. About 4, 600 frozen drops nucleated at about -15°C, deformation and fragmentation of an individual drop were examined. Cracking of frozen drops was frequently observed and the probability became large in proportion to the size of frozen drops. Shattering of frozen drops was observed with less probability than that of cracking.