Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
10:03
The Preparation of Electrohydrodynamic Bridges from Polar Dielectric Liquids
Published on: September 30, 2014
27.1K
The shape of two-dimensional liquid bridges.
Paulo I C Teixeira1,2, Miguel A C Teixeira3
1ISEL-Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa Rua Conselheiro Emídio Navarro 1, 1959-007 Lisbon, Portugal.
Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|September 28, 2019
Summary
We determined the conditions for liquid bridge formation between two surfaces. The maximum span is four capillary lengths, with specific contact angles critical for bridge existence.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Surface Science
- Physics of Liquids
Background:
- Understanding liquid bridges is crucial for various applications, including microfluidics and material science.
- Previous studies often simplified liquid bridge configurations, neglecting gravitational effects or assuming zero film thickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analytically determine the equilibrium shape and existence conditions of a vertical, 2D liquid bridge under gravity.
- To establish the relationship between substrate wettabilities, gap width (Bond number), and liquid bridge stability.
- To generalize previous findings by considering finite liquid bridge thickness and gravitational influence.
Main Methods:
- Quasi-analytical solution of the Young-Laplace equation for a 2D liquid bridge geometry.
- Investigation of the influence of Bond number (representing gravity) and contact angles at solid substrates.
- Calculation of critical parameters such as maximum span, minimum cross-sectional area, and surface features.
Main Results:
- Established the range of Bond numbers for which a liquid bridge can exist, dependent on top and bottom contact angles.
- Identified the absolute maximum span of a liquid bridge to be four capillary lengths under specific contact angle conditions ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]).
- Determined conditions for the absence of liquid bridge formation for certain substrate wettabilities ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]), regardless of substrate separation.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive understanding of liquid bridge formation and stability under gravity.
- Results offer critical insights into the design and behavior of systems involving liquid interfaces between solid surfaces.
- This work extends the theoretical framework for liquid bridges, accounting for realistic physical parameters.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Surface Tension of Fluid
1.4K
Surface tension is a fundamental property of fluids, occurring at the boundary between a liquid and a gas or between two immiscible liquids. This phenomenon arises from the cohesive forces between molecules at the fluid's surface, creating an effect similar to a stretched elastic membrane. Inside each fluid, molecules are equally attracted in all directions by neighboring molecules, but surface molecules experience a net inward force, resulting in surface tension.
Surface tension varies...
Surface tension varies...
1.4K
02:06Newman Projections
20.4K
Different notations are used to represent the three-dimensional structure of molecules on two-dimensional surfaces. One of the most commonly used representations is the dash-wedge formula. The dashed wedges, solid wedges, and the plane lines indicate the groups situated behind the plane, coming out of the plane, and in the plane, respectively.
The organic molecules rotate across the single bonds leading to numerous temporary three-dimensional structures of varying energy known as...
The organic molecules rotate across the single bonds leading to numerous temporary three-dimensional structures of varying energy known as...
20.4K
02:57Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity
32.8K
Surface Tension
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...
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...
32.8K
01:18Molecular Shapes
61.3K
Molecules have characteristic shapes that are crucial for their function. The arrangement of various electron groups around the central atom dictates their molecular geometry. Electron pairs in the valence shell of a central atom will adopt an arrangement that minimizes repulsions between the electron pairs by maximizing the distance between them. The valence electrons form either bonding pairs, located primarily between bonded atoms, or lone pairs.
Two regions of electron density in a diatomic...
Two regions of electron density in a diatomic...
61.3K
01:07Cohesion
58.3K
Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same type, such as water molecules. Water molecules have an overall neutral charge but are polar molecule. An oxygen atom in one water molecule has a partial negative charge that can bind to a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge in a second water molecule, forming a hydrogen bond. Each water molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's cohesive nature.
On a...
On a...
58.3K
01:34The Fluid Mosaic Model
177.2K
The fluid mosaic model was first proposed as a visual representation of research observations. The model comprises the composition and dynamics of membranes and serves as a foundation for future membrane-related studies. The model depicts the structure of the plasma membrane with a variety of components, which include phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These integral molecules are loosely bound, defining the cell’s border and providing fluidity for optimal function.
177.2K