Revisiting sticking property of submillimetre-sized aggregates

TL;DR

This study reevaluates the sticking properties of submillimetre-sized dust aggregates, challenging previous models and proposing a simpler, more accurate model for the critical pulling force based on contact sphere theory.

Contribution

We demonstrate that the effective surface energy model underestimates the critical force and introduce a new model based on contact sphere theory, simplifying the understanding of dust aggregate adhesion.

Findings

Effective surface energy model underestimates critical force

New model based on contact sphere theory accurately predicts critical force

No need to consider effective surface energy for loose agglomerates

Abstract

Understanding the physical properties of dust aggregates is of great importance in planetary science. In this study, we revisited the sticking property of submillimetre-sized aggregates. We revealed that the "effective surface energy" model used in previous studies underestimates the critical pulling force needed to separate two sticking aggregates. We also derived a new and simple model of the critical pulling force based on the canonical theory of two contacting spheres. Our findings indicate that we do not need to consider the "effective surface energy" of dust aggregates when discussing the physical properties of loose agglomerates of submillimetre-sized aggregates.