Abstract
By making a simple approximation for the two-particle distribution function in a fluid, an approximate formula is obtained for the fluid density n(r) throughout the liquid-vapour region near an arbitrary rigid solid which exerts forces on the fluid. The density formula is based on a 'surface of tension' Sigma which curves in from infinity towards the solid. For a 'flat smooth solid', it is shown that only one asymptotic slope results in a surface Sigma corresponding to stable contact with the solid. This gives simple formulae for the angle of contact and the work of adhesion, in terms of intermolecular potentials and the bulk liquid radial distribution function. Solids which are not flat or smooth are discussed. The effects of large and rapidly-varying curvatures of Sigma are estimated, leading to the result that the formulae should become more accurate as the contact angle increases.
Keywords
Contact angleSigmaSurface tensionSimple (philosophy)Work (physics)Surface (topology)Contact mechanicsStatistical mechanicsDistribution (mathematics)PhysicsClassical mechanicsMechanicsMaterials scienceMathematical analysisGeometryThermodynamicsMathematicsFinite element method
Affiliated Institutions
Related Publications
Estimation of the surface free energy of polymers
Abstract A method for measuring the surface energy of solids and for resolving the surface energy into contributions from dispersion and dipole‐hydrogen bonding forces has been ...
UPPER LIMITS FOR THE CONTACT ANGLES OF LIQUIDS ON SOLIDS
Abstract : Earlier systematic studies of the angle of contact (theta) exhibited by drops of liquid on plane solid surfaces of low surface energy have made data available on equi...
Physical chemistry of surfaces
Capillarity. The Nature and Thermodynamics of Liquid Interfaces. Surface Films on Liquid Substrates. Electrical Aspects of Surface Chemistry. Long--Range Forces. Surfaces of Sol...
The motion of long bubbles in tubes
A long bubble of a fluid of negligible viscosity is moving steadily in a tube filled with liquid of viscosity μ at small Reynolds number, the interfacial tension being σ. The an...
Three-Dimensional Motion of a Liquid Film Induced by Surface-Tension Variation or Gravity
Steady flows of a thin layer of viscous liquid on a horizontal plane induced by the nonuniformity of surface tension at its free surface are treated. If the film is very thin, s...
Publication Info
- Year
- 1974
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 231-245
- Citations
- 34
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Altmetric
PlumX Metrics
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
34
OpenAlex
Cite This
Michael Berry
(1974).
Simple fluids near rigid solids: statistical mechanics of density and contact angle.
Journal of Physics A Mathematical Nuclear and General
, 7
(2)
, 231-245.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0305-4470/7/2/010
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1088/0305-4470/7/2/010