Lateral g-jitter effects on free-surface deformation are studied numer
ically in a zero-gravity environment for liquids in an open square con
tainer. In order to allow for different contact-line conditions, a hys
teresis parameter is incorporated into the SOLA-SURF finite difference
scheme. The resonant frequencies of the free-surface motion are compu
ted under various conditions. The resonant frequency is largest when t
he contact line is fixed and decreases as it is allowed to move. The e
ffect of viscosity reduces the resonant frequency or damps the resonan
ce. The motion of the free surface and the amplitude of its deformatio
n are investigated for two types of g jitter (sinusoidal and impulsive
) that are typically encountered aboard a spacecraft. It is shown that
relatively large deformation occurs if the frequency of the periodic
g jitter is near the resonant frequency. The impulsive g jitter excite
s capillary waves with the resonant frequency, but they decay with tim
e. Based on the computation and a scaling analysis, the amplitude of t
he free-surface deformation is expressed in useful dimensionless form
for those two types of g jitter.