Why Does a Water Stream's Pattern Change When Interrupted?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the observation of a water stream's oscillating pattern that disappears when a beaker is placed underneath it. Participants speculate whether the pattern is a standing wave and discuss the implications of sound and pressure changes when the water jet impacts the beaker. One contributor notes that the low frame rate of the video may affect the perception of oscillations and suggests using a strobe light for clarity. Additionally, it is mentioned that pressure changes travel faster than the water jet, which can lead to unexpected effects in the jet's behavior. The conversation highlights the complex dynamics of fluid behavior and the factors influencing observable patterns.
RickRazor
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I observed something which I've never seen before. We left the tap open and the water stream was flowing in a particular pattern. When we placed a beaker under the water stream, the pattern disappeared. And the pattern itself was oscillating.

Here's the video link.

Below the the photos of the effect.
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Is the pattern a standing wave? If yes, is it sound? And why does the pattern disappear when we place a beaker under it? In the later part of the video, you can see that the pattern itself is oscillating. Why is that happening?
 
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RickRazor said:
I observed something which I've never seen before. We left the tap open and the water stream was flowing in a particular pattern. When we placed a beaker under the water stream, the pattern disappeared. And the pattern itself was oscillating.

Here's the video link.

Is the pattern a standing wave? If yes, is it sound? And why does the pattern disappear when we place a beaker under it? In the later part of the video, you can see that the pattern itself is oscillating. Why is that happening?

Interesting video! A couple of comments:

1) your frame rate is very low as compared to the jet dynamics, certain aspects of the appearance (possibly the oscillations) can be related to this. If you have a strobe light, you can see if that (literally) clarifies the images.
2) When the jet impacts a surface, the pressure changes propagate at the speed of sound, much faster than the speed of water in the jet. Thus, certain effects (the location of jet breakup, for example) occur 'upstream' of where you think they should.
 
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