Why do raindrops falling on a puddle make outward-moving circular motions?

Question

Is is because raindrops are a sphere? Can you change the shape of the reaction by dropping, say, a sugar cube....? What makes it round and expanding outward? Don't you love puddle bubbles?

Answer 1

I do love puddle bubbles. And mud puddles. And any water I can stick my feet into.

Nice question :)

Answer 2

The force of the raindrop, slight as it may be, exerts energy onto the water in the puddle. That energy pushes the surface of the water downward as the drop hits. The energy disperses in all directions as a wave or waves, forming a circle that radiates outward from where the drop hit.

Fireworks do much the same thing. As the fireworks explode, the energy is dispersed outward in a spherical shape.

Answer 3

When something hits the water surface, it pushes the water under it down, because of surface tension, then breaks through the surface and the water surface snaps back up. That creates a wave that moves out from where it hit. The wave form is a pretty ordinary sine wave. It does not matter much what shape the object is, unless it's big, like a large cement block or a box.

Answer 4

1. it's called ripples
2. they make the outward ripples becaue thats the point of impact
3. have you ever seen something impact and the pattersn go straight back in?

Answer 5

Was asking myself the same question

Answer 6

what shape do you think they are going to be square?