Turning off drop break-up: surface-tension driven traveling wave solutions
Abstract
We consider a long-wavelength model of surface-tension driven dynamics of a drop of low viscosity in a more viscous exterior fluid. The governing equation for the simplified dynamics supports traveling wave solutions in the form of a conical portion of the drop moving at a constant velocity and drawing out a cylindrical thread behind it [1]. These traveling waves correspond to the following scenario: the drop evolves due to surface tension towards a shape of two drops connected by a cylinder which thins and extends indefinitely. The drop never breaks. We show a continous spectrum of wave speeds are possible for these traveling waves, even after the effect of the higher order axial curvature are taken into account. Possible reasons for why these solutions have not been observed in experiments are suggested. [1] First noted by Zhang & Lister, unpublished results.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003APS..DFD.FN004Z