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arXiv · 2401.03931

Self-similar and Universal Dynamics in Drainage of Mobile Soap Films

Antoine Monier·François-Xavier Gauci·Cyrille Claudet·Franck Celestini·Christophe Brouzet·Christophe Raufaste
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Abstract

Vertical soap films drain under the influence of gravity, as indicated by the downward motion of colorful horizontal interference fringes observed on their surfaces. In this study conducted with rectangular soap films, we experimentally characterize the descent dynamics of these isothickness fringes and report its self-similar nature. We also show that this result is equivalent to thickness profiles exhibiting a separation of space and time. By integrating new measurements with data from the literature across various conditions, we validate these properties and establish the universality of the dynamics, governed by a single physical scalar. Our findings provide new insights for proposing a drainage model and understanding the mechanism of marginal regeneration at the origin of the process.

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Antoine Monier, François-Xavier Gauci, Cyrille Claudet, Franck Celestini, Christophe Brouzet, Christophe Raufaste. 2024-01-08. Self-similar and Universal Dynamics in Drainage of Mobile Soap Films. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevfluids.9.124001

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