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Nonaxisymmetric Shapes of a Magnetically Levitated and Spinning Water Droplet

R. J. A. Hill and L. Eaves
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 234501 – Published 1 December 2008
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Abstract

The shape of a weightless spinning liquid droplet is governed by the balance between the surface tension and centrifugal forces. The axisymmetric shape for slow rotation becomes unstable to a nonaxisymmetric distortion above a critical angular velocity, beyond which the droplet progresses through a series of 2-lobed shapes. Theory predicts the existence of a family of 3- and 4-lobed equilibrium shapes at higher angular velocity. We investigate the formation of a triangular-shaped magnetically levitated water droplet, driven to rotate by the Lorentz force on an ionic current within the droplet. We also study equatorial traveling waves which give the droplet threefold, fourfold, and fivefold symmetry.

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  • Received 1 August 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.234501

©2008 American Physical Society

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The many shapes of spinning drops

Published 1 December 2008

From the nucleus to black holes, the model of a spinning liquid drop can describe the physics of a large number of systems. With diamagnetic levitation, it is possible to accurately study the many shapes a rapidly rotating liquid drop can take and compare the results against theoretical predictions.

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Authors & Affiliations

R. J. A. Hill* and L. Eaves

  • School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom

  • *richard.hill@nottingham.ac.uk

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 23 — 5 December 2008

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