Dynamic Pressure Enhancement upon Disk Impact on a Boiling Liquid
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 234001 – Published 1 December, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zx6s-1lwp
Abstract
We experimentally investigate the impact of a flat, horizontal disk onto a boiling liquid, i.e., a liquid in thermal equilibrium with its vapor phase. We observe exceptionally high impact pressures deviating strongly from the inertial scaling found for impact in a noncondensable environment, coinciding with the rapid collapse of the vapor pocket entrapped below the disk. We explain our findings, which are relevant for the safe transportation of cryogenic fuels, as a result of vapor condensation, leading to accelerated vapor pocket contraction at high impact velocity and low vapor density.
