Nonlinear breakup of an asymmetric electrohydrodynamic jet

Abstract.

Nonlinear asymmetric breakup of a circular capillary jet stressed at the surface by an electrical field is presented. The method of straining of coordinates is used to calculate the cutoff wave number. The numerical results show that an initially sinusoidal wave develops in an asymmetrical form by the nonlinear effect from higher harmonics. It is shown that a linear relation-ship exists between the breakup times and the logarithms of the amplitudes of the wave. The slopes of these lines can be used to calculate the actual growth rates. The effective growth rates are displayed in a graphical form.