Theory of Drop Formation

Abstract

We consider the motion of an axisymmetric column of Navier-Stokes fluid with a free surface. Due to surface tension, the thickness of the fluid neck goes to zero in finite time. After the singularity, the fluid consists of two halves, which constitute a unique continuation of the Navier-Stokes equation through the singular point. We calculate the asymptotic solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation, both before and after the singularity. The solutions have scaling form, characterized by universal exponents as well as universal scaling functions, which we compute without adjustable parameters.