2-DIMENSIONAL METASTABLE MACRO-CRYSTALS OF LIQUID PARTICLES ON A LIQUID SURFACE

The characteristics of a metastable water-particle layer that exists i n the boundary layer of a hot water surface are presented. The metasta ble-water-particle layer was observed in the surface temperature range of 40 < T-s < 70 degrees C, The layer is constructed from particles w ith the same size, whose size changes from 10 to 70 mu m, depending on temperature. The arrangements of particles depend on thermodynamic an d hydrodynamic parameters, especially the local temperature in the vic inity of the particles. The buoyancy of a particle is a result of the pressure caused by molecules evaporating from the particle and the wat er plane surface. The distance of the particles from the water surface is determined by the balance between gravity and buoyancy. The size o f the particles depends on the saturated water vapor pressure in the v icinity of the particles. Hydrodynamic characteristics of the metastab le particle layer are as follows: (1) the particles form a two-dimensi onal layer on the water surface; (2) horizontal movement is a very slo w and depends on the temperature difference; and (3) the particles hav e both an attractive force and a repulsive force. The metastable parti cles form two-dimensional macro-crystals.