BIFURCATION DIAGRAMS OF AXISYMMETRICAL LIQUID BRIDGES OF ARBITRARY VOLUME IN ELECTRIC AND GRAVITATIONAL AXIAL FIELDS

Finite-amplitude bifurcation diagrams of axisymmetric liquid bridges a nchored between two plane parallel electrodes subjected to a potential difference and in the presence of an axial gravity field are found by solving simultaneously the Laplace equation for the electric potentia l and the Young-Laplace equation for the interface by means of the Gal erkin/finite element method. Results show the strong stabilizing effec t of the electric field, which plays a role somewhat similar to the in verse of the slenderness. It is also shown that the electric field may determine whether the breaking of the liquid bridge leads to two equa l or unequal drops. Finally, the sensitivity of liquid bridges to an a xial gravity in the presence of the electric field is studied.