2{\pi} scaling law during inviscid fluid pinch-off and satellite droplets formation

TL;DR

This paper investigates the pinch-off process of near-inviscid liquid bridges, revealing a universal 2π scaling law, the formation of a spindle shape with a specific cone angle, and the dynamics of satellite droplets.

Contribution

It introduces a new scaling law during inviscid fluid pinch-off and characterizes the spindle shape and satellite droplet formation with precise geometric and dynamic predictions.

Findings

The spindle shape's slenderness exceeds 2π during pinch-off.

A specific cone angle (~18.09°) is predicted for the spindle.

Satellite droplet velocity follows a capillary-inertia balance model.

Abstract

Pinch-off and satellite droplets formation during breakup of near-inviscid liquid bridge sandwiched between two given equal and coaxial circular plates have been investigated. The breakup always results in the formation of a spindle shape which is the precursor of the satellite droplet at the moment of pinch-off. Interestingly, the slenderness of this spindle is always bigger than 2{\pi} and always results in the formation of only one satellite droplet regardless of the surface tension and the slenderness of the liquid bridge. We predict the cone angle of this spindle formed during the pinch-off of inviscid fluids should be 18.086122158...{\deg}. After pinch-off, the satellite droplets will drift out of the pinch-off regions in the case of symmetrical short bridge, and merge again with the sessile drop in the case of unsymmetrical long bridge. We demonstrate that the velocity of the satellite droplet is consistent with a scaling model based on a balance between capillary forces and the inertia at the pinch-off region.