arXiv · nlin/0502045
Mode Selection in the Spontaneous Motion of an Alcohol Droplet
Abstract
An alcohol (pentanol) droplet exhibits spontaneous agitation on an aqueous solution, driven by a solutal Marangoni effect. We found that the droplet's mode of motion is controlled by its volume. A droplet with a volume of less than $0.1 μ\rm{l}$ shows irregular translational motion, whereas intermediate-sized droplets of $0.1-200 μ\rm{l}$ show vectorial motion. When the volume is above $300 μ\rm{l}$, the droplet splits into smaller drops. These experimental results regarding mode selection are interpreted in terms of the wave number selection depending on the droplet volume.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Ken Nagai, Yutaka Sumino, Hiroyuki Kitahata, Kenichi Yoshikawa. 2005-04-21. Mode Selection in the Spontaneous Motion of an Alcohol Droplet. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.71.065301
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.