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Contraction of an air disk caught between two different liquids
M-J Thoraval1, S T Thoroddsen1
1Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering and Clean Combustion Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|February 4, 2014
Summary
When a liquid drop hits a pool, it traps air that forms a bubble. The bubble contraction speed depends on the liquids' surface tension, with lower tension liquids slowing the process.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Surface science
- Physics of liquids
Background:
- Liquid drop impacts can trap air, forming a central disk.
- This air disk rapidly contracts into a bubble to minimize surface energy.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the contraction speed of the air disk when drop and pool liquids differ.
- Analyze the influence of surface tension on bubble formation dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ultra-high-speed imaging.
- Measured the contraction speed of the entrapped air disk.
- Experimented with miscible and immiscible liquid pairs.
Main Results:
- For miscible liquids, contraction rate is determined by the lower surface tension liquid.
- Observed edge undulations on the air disk impacting water, but not on lower surface tension liquids.
- Similar phenomena were noted for immiscible liquid pairs.
Conclusions:
- Surface tension is a key factor governing air disk contraction and bubble formation.
- Liquid miscibility and surface tension differences significantly affect impact dynamics.
- The presence or absence of undulations correlates with the surface tension of the pool liquid.
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