Here is another take on what happens when a drop of water falls into a larger pool.
Videos
Ferrofluid Art
Magnetism and fluid dynamics collide with ferrofluids! Ferrofluids are a suspension of ferrous material in oil or water, but their behavior around magnets can elevate them into a work of art (or a car commercial). Why leave it to professionals, though, when you can make your own ferrofluid?
Fizziness in Space
Removing gravity has interesting effects on fluids. Here an astronaut aboard the ISS demonstrates what happens when Alka-Seltzer is added to water in microgravity.
Spore-Spreading via Vortex
As it turns out, animals aren’t the only ones to have figured out the usefulness of vortex rings. A team of physicists and biologists have captured peat moss using vortex rings to project their spores to a height where the wind will catch and carry them further afield. #
Dolphins Making Bubble Rings
Marine animals know more about fluid dynamics than we might think. Dolphins make games out of blowing vortex rings (a.k.a. bubble rings) and tossing them around. You can try, too, next time you’re at the pool!
Water Balloons in Microgravity
Sometimes you need microgravity in order to observe the neat effects of surface tension on a fluid. Also, I hear it’s a good excuse for popping water balloons on the Vomit Comet. #
The Kaye Effect
Non-Newtonian fluids can also be shear-thinning like shampoo. These fluids exhibit a phenomenon known as the Kaye effect. #
Vortex Cannon
Ever wonder if the Big Bad Wolf could really blow those pigs’ houses down? If he’d gone with a vortex cannon, maybe he’d have a chance.
Cornstarch Monsters
In shear-thickening, non-Newtonian fluids, disturbances make the fluid more viscous (“thicker”, more resistant to motion). This is well-demonstrated by putting some on a speaker and turning it on! #
Breaking the Sound Barrier
The shock waves propagating in front of an Atlas V rocket after launch decimate a rainbow-like effect called a sun dog. #