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Measurements of rotating bubble shapes in a low-gravity environment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2006

Fred Leslie
Fred Leslie
Affiliation:
Atmospheric Sciences Division, Systems Dynamics Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812
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Abstract

Measurements of rotating equilibrium bubble shapes in the low-gravity environment of a free-falling aircraft are presented. Emphasis is placed on bubbles which intersect the container boundaries. These data are compared with theoretical profiles derived from Laplace's formula and are in good agreement with the measurements. The interface shape depends on the contact angle, the radius of intersection with the container, and the parameter F, which is a measure of the relative importance of centrifugal force to surface tension. For isolated bubbles F has a maximum value of½. A further increase in F causes the bubble to break contact with the axis of rotation. For large values of F the bubble becomes more cylindrical and the capillary rise occurs over a thinner layer in order that the small radius of curvature can generate a sufficient pressure drop to account for the increased hydrostatic contribution.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 161 , December 1985 , pp. 269 - 279
Copyright
© 1985 Cambridge University Press

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