Skip to main content
Log in

The shape of a sessile drop for small and large surface tension

  • Published:
Journal of Engineering Mathematics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Asymptotic solutions for large and small surface tension are developed for the profile of a symmetric sessile drop. The problem for large surface tension (i.e., small Bond number) is a regular perturbation problem, where the solution may be written as a uniformly valid asymptotic expansion. The problem for small surface tension (i.e., large Bond number) is a singular perturbation problem with boundary-layer behaviour in the edge region. The solution is a matched asymptotic expansion, where some care is to be taken for the matching. The respective ranges of validity are established by comparing the asymptotic results with solutions obtained by numerical integration of the full equations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. F. Bashforth and J. C. Adams, An attempt to test the theories of capillary attraction, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1883).

    Google Scholar 

  2. J. F. Padday, The profiles of axially symmetric menisci, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London A269 (1971) 265–293.

    Google Scholar 

  3. J. N. Butler and B. H. Bloom, A curve fitting method for calculating interfacial tension from the shape of a sessile drop, Surface Science 4 (1966) 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  4. H.K. Kuiken, personal communication; unpublished reports.

  5. A. K. Chesters, An analytical solution for the profile and volume of a small drop or bubble symmetrical about the vertical axis, Journal of Fluid Mechanics 81 (1977) 609–624.

    Google Scholar 

  6. M. E. R. Shanahan, Profile and contact angle of small sessile drops, Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions 80 (1984) 37–45.

    Google Scholar 

  7. P. G. Smith and T. G. M. van de Ven, Profiles of slightly deformed axisymmetric drops, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 97 (1984) 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  8. P. Concus, Static menisci in a vertical right circular cylinder, Journal of Fluid Mechanics 34 (1968) 481–495.

    Google Scholar 

  9. W. Eckhaus, Asymptotic analysis of singular perturbations, North-Holland Publishing Company, Amsterdam (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  10. M. van Dyke, Perturbation methods in fluid mechanics, Parabolic Press, Stanford (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  11. A. H. Nayfeh, Perturbation methods, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  12. M. B. Lesser and D. G. Crighton, Physical acoustics and the method of matched asymptotic expansions, Physical Acoustics, Vol. XI edited by W. P. Mason and R. M. N. Thurston, Academic Press, New York (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  13. R. Finn, Equilibrium capillary surfaces, Springer-Verlag, New York (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  14. D. Siegel, The behavior of a capillary surface for small Bond number, Variational methods for free surface interfaces, pp. 109–113, edited by P. Concus and R. Finn, Springer-Verlag, New York (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  15. M. Abramowitz and I.A. Stegun (eds.) Handbook of mathematical functions, National Bureau of Standards (1964).

  16. E. Fehlberg, Low-order classical Runge-Kutta formulas with stepsize control, NASA TR R-315.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rienstra, S.W. The shape of a sessile drop for small and large surface tension. J Eng Math 24, 193–202 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00058465

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00058465

Keywords

Navigation