Shape and Break-up of a Pendant Drop

     Department of Mathematical Sciences 

Shape and Break-up of a Pendant Drop

Azfar Aziz
Kelly Crowe
Michael DeCaro

Assistant: Nebo Murisic
Instructor: Lou Kondic

Department of Mathematical Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology


A liquid drop forms a distinct shape as it hangs or breaks up.
In the case of a pendant (hanging) drop, its shape is described by a system of ordinary differential equations which define a boundary value problem. Using Runge-Kutta numerical algorithm, we solve these equations. A comparison of the results with the experimental drop shapes, obtained using a goniometer, is then carried out.
In addition, we extend our computations in order to calculate surface tension of a pendant drop by minimizing the difference between computed and measured drop shapes (pendant drop method for determining surface tension). Finally, we report the results of the experiments of a drop break-up carried out using a high speed camera. These results are used to analyze the breakup process and compare the experimental results to a self-similar solution.

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