Capillary phenomena. Part 19.—Systems subjected to various gravitational field strengths

Abstract

A scheme is described which allows quantities relating to axially symmetric capillary systems to be computed for various values of the gravitational field strength, or of the fluid-phase density difference, or of the fluid/fluid interfacial tension. Examples are given using pendent and sessile drops. The treatment deals with zero-gravity conditions (or Δρ= 0) under which these drops become spherical, but fluid bridges, for instance, possess a variety of shapes. Analytical formulae exist for many gravity-free axially symmetric cases, but they are not always convenient to use and may not be available for sufficient quantities. The approach used here involving an explicit capillary parameter ζ is quite general.