Energy dependence of impact fragmentation of long glass rods

We have performed an experimental study of impact fragmentation with a focus on the dependence on the energy input. Long glass rods were dropped horizontally onto the ground from seven different heights. We find that the energy dependence is better characterized by studying the differential mass distribution rather than the cumulative mass distribution. For lower dropping heights, the differential mass distribution is well approximated by one power law while for higher heights, it has to be represented by two power laws. Moreover, the power-law exponent for small mass fragments increases and approaches an asymptotic value as the dropping height is increased.