Froude number scaling unifies impact trajectories into cohesionless granular media across gravitational conditions
We examine the role of gravity on surface impact behavior into cohesionless granular media. Using hundreds of soft-sphere discrete element simulations, we demonstrate that the outcome of impacts remains qualitatively similar under varying gravitational conditions when initial velocities are scaled with the Froude number, suggesting an underlying law. Using granular dynamic resistive force theory, we provide reasoning for the observed universality and show that Froude number scaling precisely collapses impact trajectories across gravitational conditions within a set of assumptions.
Authors
- E. N. Tokar
- Paul Sánchez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3610-5480)
- Esteban Wright (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7071-2060)
- Rachel Glade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0345-1953)
- Peter Miklavcic (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9724-8744)
- Hesam Askari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5562-1363)
- Alice C. Quillen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1280-2054)
Institutions
- University of Colorado Boulder (US)
- University of Colorado System (US)
- University of Rochester (US)
- University of Maryland, College Park (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Rheology
- Published
- 2026-04-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1122/8.0001079
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Granular flow and fluidized beds
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 23.72
Funders
- Planetary Science Division