Theory of growth by differential sedimentation, with application to snowflake formation

C. D. Westbrook, R. C. Ball, P. R. Field, A. J. Heymsfield

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

A model for growth by differential sedimentation of particles in a fluid, which captures the essential physics of the system in the inertial flow regime, was described. The application of the theory to snowflake formation was also discussed. It was observed that the structure of the aggregates produced by the process feed back on the dynamics in such a way as to stabilize both the exponents controlling the growth rate. The fractal dimension of the clusters were found to be produced at readily predictable values.

Original languageEnglish
Article number021403
Pages (from-to)021403-1-021403-7
JournalPhysical Review E
Volume70
Issue number2 1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2004

Cite this