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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Simultaneous Measurement of Turbulence and Particle Kinematics Using Flow Imaging Techniques

Simultaneous Measurement of Turbulence and Particle Kinematics Using Flow Imaging Techniques

Published on: March 12, 2019

Capillary forces between sediment particles and an air-water interface.

Nirmalya Chatterjee¹, Sergey Lapin, Markus Flury

¹Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Puyallup, Washington 98371, United States. c_nirmalya@wsu.edu

Environmental Science & Technology

|March 20, 2012

Summary

Capillary forces at air-water interfaces influence particle movement in the vadose zone. Ellipsoidal shapes best estimate these forces for natural particles, aiding transport predictions.

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Published on: February 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Geochemistry
Soil Science

Background:

Air-water interfaces in the vadose zone are critical for particle fate and transport.
Particle attachment to these interfaces, driven by capillary forces, can alter particle movement dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify capillary forces between air-water interfaces and various particle shapes.
To compare experimental and theoretical capillary force measurements.
To evaluate particle shape effects on capillary force interactions.

Main Methods:

Experimental determination of capillary forces using tensiometry.
Theoretical calculations of capillary forces for spherical, ellipsoidal, and cylindrical particle models.
Distinguishing maximum capillary force and snap-off force during interface detachment.

Main Results:

Experimental and theoretical capillary force values were of similar magnitude.
Spherical particles exhibited the lowest theoretical capillary force; cylinders showed the highest due to interface pinning.
Ellipsoidal models provided the best agreement with experimentally measured forces for natural particles.

Conclusions:

Particle shape significantly influences capillary forces at air-water interfaces.
Ellipsoidal approximations are effective for estimating capillary forces on natural mineral particles.
Understanding these forces is crucial for predicting particle transport in the vadose zone.