Experimental study on the cavity dynamics of a sphere entering flowing water

Abstract

This paper delves into the dynamics of a sphere entering flowing water at varying impact velocities and flow speeds. Using a high-speed photography system and image processing, we track the cavity evolution and trajectory. Flowing water is observed to tilt the cavity and postpone its detachment from the free surface. Beyond surface sealing, we identify a flowing-induced pinch-off phenomenon during water entry, marking a transition in closure regimes. This transition establishes a threshold impacting cavity tilt angle and pull-away length. By mapping the phase diagram of flow Reynolds number (Rew) against impact Froude number (Fr), we classify partial surface seal, pinch-off, and surface seal into distinct regimes. The Fr1/3 law effectively predicts the rising trend of cavity depth (H) and pinch-off depth (Hp) in flowing water. However, the Hp/H ratio differs from that reported in existing literature.