The nonlinear dynamics of the impact and penetration of a liquid droplet in a radial capillary is studied numerically. The radial capillary is formed by two parallel plates at a distance of delta(g). The top plate has an orifice at its center. A droplet impacting on the orifice-plate partly spreads over the top plate, and the rest penetrates into the capillary gap between the two plates. The rate of spread of the fluid on the orifice plate, bout, is governed by the contact angle, beta, between the liquid and the orifice plate and the droplet initial momentum, whereas the rate of fluid spread inside the capillary gap, in, is decided by the contact angles with both plates and the plate gap, 39 (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.