Effects of lift force on ejecta transport

Abstract

The possible effects of lift on individual ejecta trajectories after an impact event are examined, considering a dimensionless transport parameter (K), the initial velocity vector of the particles, and the ratio of the lift to drag coefficients. If this ratio is not equal to zero, the trajectory is greatly influenced by the lift coefficient, particularly for large values of K and high launch angles. It is suggested that lift potentially can affect small ejecta in the size range also affected by aerodynamic drag, thereby adding complexity to atmospheric effects