Long time spreading of a microdroplet on a smooth solid surface
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

High Throughput Analysis of Liquid Droplet Impacts
Published on: March 6, 2020
Ralf Brunner1, Izhak Etsion, Frank E Talke
1University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0401, USA. rbrunner@ucsd.edu
Abstract:
The long time spreading of microdroplets on a smooth solid surface is studied experimentally. An empirical expression is obtained for the spreading area as a function of time showing a final area when spreading stops. The mean film thickness of this final area appears to be independent of the initial volume of the droplet and of the spreading dynamics. A theoretical model is developed to predict this final uniform film thickness, based on volume conservation and the principle of minimum energy. Good agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental results.
Related Concept Videos
Surface Tension
Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
Surface Tension of Fluid
Surface tension varies with...
Behavior of Gas Molecules: Molecular Diffusion, Mean Free Path, and Effusion
Transmission of Pathogens
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area

