Capillary phenomena. Part 25.—Thermodynamic equilibrium and stability of capillary systems in a gravitational field

Abstract

A unified analysis is given of the thermodynamics of systems in a gravitational field, appropriate for sessile and pendent drops and fluid bridges, as well as for fluids in porous media, solids detaching from surfaces and liquid lenses. Mechanical and physicochemical phenomena are described. Stability criteria as well as equilibrium changes are discussed. By permitting transport of substances between phases and compression effects a scheme is presented which can deal with a wide range of systems, including those in various gravitational fields. Examples, mainly using certain of the mechanical aspects, e.g. for solids at surfaces, for pendent drops and for fluid bridges, have been given separately.