Scale effects on cavitation about a sphere

The cavity topology about a sphere is provided for a range of Reynolds numbers from 1.25 × 10⁵ to 1.5 × 10⁶. This decade range was achieved through three different diameter spheres and changing the freestream velocity. Various cavitation regimes were investigated including sheet cavitation, unsteady shedding of cloud cavitation, and supercavitation. High-resolution photography was used to capture the cavity state and allowed measurement of the cavity detachment angle. Two Reynolds number transitions were observed. Comparisons of cavity appearance at the same Reynolds and cavitation numbers, but different physical scales, show the influence of the Weber number.