Characterize collisional processing of primary ejecta

Characterize whether primary ejecta released from planetesimal surfaces undergo coalescence or fragmentation during mutual collisions before colliding with incoming debris dust or secondary cloud particles.

Background

The governing equations simplify the dust-cloud dynamics by treating primary ejecta with a prescribed size and by focusing on their subsequent momentum exchange with incoming and cloud particles.

The authors note that primary ejecta may themselves collide and change size through coalescence or fragmentation before participating in later collisions. This unresolved process could alter the dust-cloud structure and the predicted production of chondrules.