The scaling of impact phenomena

A basis for scaling laws for impact phenomena is the approximation of the actual problem with a point-source problem. Point-source solutions are characterized by a single scalar coupling-parameter measure aU^μδυ of the radius a, velocity U and mass density δ of the impactor. Point-source solutions that are known to exist are discussed. The implications to scaling are developed. Recent numerical code calculations that were designed to investigate the scaling and the application of the coupling parameter are presented. Finally, a summary of some recent applications of the theory is given.