On relative contribution of electrostatic and aerodynamic effects to dynamics of a levitating droplet cluster

TL;DR

This study investigates the dynamics of a levitating droplet cluster, revealing that aerodynamic forces dominate interactions, while electric fields influence droplet growth and polarization effects.

Contribution

The paper provides new experimental insights into droplet cluster behavior, quantifying the roles of electrostatic and aerodynamic forces in levitation dynamics.

Findings

Electric fields increase droplet growth rate

Droplets carry small electrical charges

Aerodynamic forces govern droplet interactions

Abstract

New experimental results and their physical analysis are presented to clarify the behavior of a relatively stable self-arranged droplet cluster levitating over the locally heated water surface. An external electric field of both opposite directions leads to a significant increase in the rate of a condensational growth of droplets in the cluster. The experimental data are used to estimate a small electrical charge of single droplets and the attraction force of polarized droplets to the water layer. It is confirmed that the interaction between the droplets is governed by aerodynamic forces.