Digitized capillary surface profile tables from Bashforth and Adams, 1883

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Physical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• The Young-Laplace equation describes axisymmetric capillary surfaces.
• Bashforth and Adams (1883) provided essential tabulated data for this equation.
• These tables are critical for surface tension analysis via the axisymmetric drop shape method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a machine-readable digitization of Table II from Bashforth and Adams (1883).
• To provide readily accessible data for surface tension research.
• To eliminate the need for manual re-digitization of historical data.

Main Methods:

• Manual transcription of data from scanned images of the original monograph.
• Organization of data into a Microsoft Excel workbook with separate worksheets.
• Validation of digitized data using visual quality assurance plots.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive dataset of dimensionless profile coordinates (x/b and z/b) is now available.
• The dataset includes 100 values of the dimensionless capillary parameter (β) and 36 angle (Φ) increments per β.
• The data covers sessile drops, pendant drops, and capillary menisci.

Conclusions:

• The digitized dataset offers a reliable and accessible resource for researchers.
• This work preserves and enhances the utility of a foundational dataset in surface tension analysis.
• Facilitates continued use of the axisymmetric drop shape method in scientific research.