Theoretical competition Solution: Question 3

26 April 2009 Page 1 of 3

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The Leidenfrost Phenomenon

3.1) As given in the problem

d ⎛ 1 dP ⎞
v = ⎜ ⎟⋅ z …………… (i)
dz ⎝ η dr ⎠

Integrating (i) with respect to z , we get

⎛ 1 dP ⎞ 2
v( z) = ⎜ ⎟⋅ z + C …………… (ii) (0.5 point)
⎝ 2η dr ⎠

⎛ 1 dP ⎞ ⎛ b ⎞
2
⎛b⎞
3.2) v⎜ ⎟ = 0 = ⎜ ⎟⋅⎜ ⎟ + C …………… (iii)
⎝2⎠ ⎝ 2η dr ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

b 2 dP
∴ C = − (0.5 point)
8η dr

dP
Note that C is not a real constant; its value depends on which is a function of r .
dr

3.3) Let Q be the volume rate of flow of the vapour through the cylindrical surface of 2π rb .

δ Q = v ( z ) ⋅ 2π rδ z where from (ii) and (iii): (0.3 point)

⎛ 1 dP ⎞ ⎡ 2 b 2 ⎤
v( z) = ⎜ ⎟⋅ ⎢z − ⎥ …………… (iv)
⎝ 2η dr ⎠ ⎣ 4⎦

b b
2
⎛ 2π r dP ⎞ ⎡ 2 b 2 ⎤ 2
∴ Q = 2 ∫ v ( z ) ⋅ 2π rdz = ⎜ ⎟ ∫ ⎢ z − ⎥dz
z =0 ⎝ η dr ⎠ z =0 ⎣ 4⎦

π rb3 dP
Q = − ……………… (v) (0.7 point)
6η dr
Theoretical competition Solution: Question 3

26 April 2009 Page 2 of 3

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π r 2K ΔT
3.4) The total rate of heat flow from the area π r of the hot surface to the drop is
2
. We
b
assume that this heat goes into vaporizing the drop.

π r 2KΔT
Hence ρ QA = and using (v) we get
b

dP ⎛ 6η KΔT ⎞
= −⎜ ⎟⋅r ………………… (vi) (0.4 point)
⎝ ρ V Ab
4
dr ⎠

⎛ 3η KΔT ⎞ 2
This gives P (r ) = − ⎜ ⎟⋅r + B (0.4 point)
⎝ ρ V Ab
4
⎠

where B is an arbitrary constant whose value can be found by applying the boundary
condition P ( R ) = Pa , the atmospheric pressure.

⎛ 3η KΔT ⎞ 2
Hence B = Pa + ⎜ ⎟⋅ R …………… (vii) (0.4 point)
⎝ ρ V Ab
4
⎠

⎛ 3η KΔT ⎞
4 ⎟ (
and P ( r ) = Pa + ⎜ ⋅ R2 − r 2 ) …………… (viii) (0.8 point)
⎝ ρ V Ab ⎠

3.5) The net force due to pressure is in the upward direction and of magnitude

3πη KΔTR 4
R
f = ∫ ⎡⎣ P ( r ) − P ⎤⎦ 2π rdr
r =0
a =
2 ρ V Ab 4
………(ix) (1.0 point)

2
The weight of the drop is π R 3 ρ0 g , where ρ0 is the density of liquid.
3

2 3πη KΔTR 4
∴ π R3 ρ0 g =
3 2 ρ V Ab 4

1
⎛ 9η KRΔT ⎞ 4
b = ⎜ ⎟ ……………(x)
⎝ 4 ρ 0 ρ V Ag ⎠
Theoretical competition Solution: Question 3

26 April 2009 Page 3 of 3

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3η KΔT 4 ρ0 g
Note that = ……………(xi) (1.0 point)
ρ V Ab 4
3 R

3.6) Use equations (xi) and (viii) to obtain

⎛ 4 ρ0 g ⎞
P ( r ) = Pa + ⎜ ⎟⋅(R − r )
2 2
……………(xii)
⎝3 R ⎠

d ⎛ 8 ρ0 g ⎞
P (r ) = − ⎜ ⎟⋅r ……………(xiii) (0.8 point)
dr ⎝3 R ⎠
Then use (v) to calculate the total mass-rate of vaporization Q ρ V at r = R :

⎛ 2π b3 R ⎞ ⎛ 8 ρ 0 g ⎞ ⎛ 4πρ V ρ 0 gR ⎞ 3
QρV = ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟ RρV = ⎜ ⎟b
⎝ 12η ⎠ ⎝ 3 R ⎠ ⎝ 9η ⎠
3
⎛ 4πρ V ρ 0 gR ⎞ ⎛ 9η KRΔT ⎞ 4
= ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟
⎝ 9η ⎠ ⎝ 4 ρ 0 ρ V Ag ⎠
1
⎛ 4π 4 K3 ρ V ρ0 g ( ΔT )3 ⎞ 4 7 7
= ⎜ ⎟ ⋅ R4 = β R4 …… (xiv) (1.2 points)
⎜ 9η A 3
⎟
⎝ ⎠

3.7) The life-time (τ ) of the drop, is to be found from

d ⎛2 ⎞
7

⎜ π R ρ0 ⎟ = − QρV = −βR
3 4
dt ⎝ 3 ⎠
1
d β
R4 R = −
dt 2πρ 0
τ
0 1
β
∫R
R
4
dR = − ∫
0
2πρ 0
dt (1.0 point)

8πρ0 8⎛ 9ηρ A ⎞
5 3 3 4 5
τ = R 4
= ⎜ 3 0
⎟ ⋅ R 4
(1.0 point)
5β ⎜
5 ⎝ 4K ρ V g ( ΔT ) ⎠
3
⎟

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