New explanation for water's circular jump

Sponge in kitchen sink under running water

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Varying viscosity and surface tension could aid the design of more efficient high-power cleaning and cooling systems

Researchers have shed new light on the fluid-mechanics of hydraulic jumps, a common water phenomenon that is likely overlooked every time we turn a tap on but is a staple in textbooks and was even documented by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th Century.