Abstract
Here we address the old question in aeolian particle transport about the role of midair collisions. We find that, surprisingly, these collisions do enhance the overall flux substantially. The effect depends strongly on restitution coefficient and wind speed. We can explain this observation as a consequence of a soft bed of grains which floats above the ground and reflects the highest flying particles. We make the unexpected observation that the flux is maximized at an intermediate restitution coefficient of about 0.7, which is comparable to values experimentally measured for collisions between sand grains.
- Received 19 December 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.058001
© 2013 American Physical Society
Focus
Colliding Grains Make Stronger Sandstorms
Published 2 August 2013
Midair collisions between grains in a sandstorm drastically increase the strength of the storm, according to simulations, suggesting a central role for collisions.
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