Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry

Volume 6, Issue 7 (July 2016)

ISSN Print: 2162-531X   ISSN Online: 2162-5328

Google-based Impact Factor: 0.65  Citations  h5-index & Ranking

Examples of Non-Uniqueness of the Equilibrium States for a Floating Ball

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DOI: 10.4236/ampc.2016.67019    1,788 Downloads   2,647 Views  Citations
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ABSTRACT

We provide a numerical algorithm for numerically approximating a centrally located floating ball. We give examples of equilibria, and we present non-unique cases for the same physical parameters when the density of the ball is either greater than the supporting liquid (heavy) or lighter than the density of the vapor above (light). We classify the non-uniqueness by analyzing a function related to the force balance. We derive the potential energy of these states, and make comparisons of the non-unique cases. In the cases of both the light and heavy floating balls, the evidence presented supports the conjecture that when there are two equilibria, the one with lower energy corresponds to the location of triple junction (between the ball, the vapor and the liquid) that is closer to the equator of the ball.

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Treinen, R. (2016) Examples of Non-Uniqueness of the Equilibrium States for a Floating Ball. Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry, 6, 177-194. doi: 10.4236/ampc.2016.67019.

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