Solution: Question 3

Theoretical competition

26 April 2009
Page 1 of 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Leidenfrost Phenomenon
3.1)

As given in the problem

1 dP
d
v =
z
dz
dr

(i)

Integrating (i) with respect to z , we get

1 dP 2
v( z) =
z + C
2 dr

(ii)

1 dP b
b
v = 0 =
+ C
2
2 dr 2

(0.5 point)

3.2)

(iii)

b 2 dP
C =
8 dr

(0.5 point)

Note that C is not a real constant; its value depends on

dP
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 2 rb .

Q = v ( z ) 2 r z where from (ii) and (iii):

1 dP 2 b 2
v(z) =
z
4
2 dr

b
2

(0.3 point)

(iv)

b
2

2 r dP 2 b 2
Q = 2 v ( z ) 2 rdz =
z dz
4
dr z =0
z =0

rb3 dP
Q =
6 dr

(v)

(0.7 point)

Solution: Question 3

Theoretical competition

26 April 2009
Page 2 of 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.4) The total rate of heat flow from the area r 2 of the hot surface to the drop is

r 2 K T
b

. We

assume that this heat goes into vaporizing the drop.

Hence

QA =

r 2 K T
b

and using (v) we get

6 KT
dP
=
r
4
dr
V Ab

This gives

3 KT
P (r ) =
4
V Ab

(vi)

2
r + B

(0.4 point)

(0.4 point)

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

Hence

3 KT
B = Pa +
4
V Ab

2
R

and

3 KT
P ( r ) = Pa +
4
V Ab

2
2
(R r )

(vii)

(0.4 point)

(viii)

(0.8 point)

Solution: Question 3

Theoretical competition

26 April 2009
Page 3 of 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.5) The net force due to pressure is in the upward direction and of magnitude
R

f =

r =0

P ( r ) Pa 2 rdr =

The weight of the drop is

3 KTR 4
2 V Ab 4

(ix)

(1.0 point)

2 3
R 0 g , where 0 is the density of liquid.
3

2 3
3 KTR 4
R 0 g =
3
2 V Ab 4
1

9 KRT 4
b =

4 0 V Ag

Note that

3 KT
V Ab 4

(x)

4 0 g
3 R

(xi)

(1.0 point)

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

4 0 g
2
2
P ( r ) = Pa +
(R r )
3 R

(xii)

d
8 0 g
P (r ) =
r
dr
3 R

(xiii)

(0.8 point)

Then use (v) to calculate the total mass-rate of vaporization Q V at r = R :

QV

2 b3 R 8 0 g
=

R V
12 3 R

4 V 0 gR 3
=
b
9

4 V 0 gR 9 KRT 4
=

4 0 V Ag
1

4 4K3 V 0 g ( T )3 4 7
=
R4
3

= R4

(xiv)

(1.2 points)

Solution: Question 3

Theoretical competition

26 April 2009
Page 4 of 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

d 2 3
R 0 = Q V =
dt 3

R4
0

R
R

7
4

d
R =
dt
20
1
4

dt
2 0
0

dR =

80
R
5

5
4

(1.0 point)
1
4

9 A
8
4

R
3

5 4K V g ( T )
3 3
0

*********************

(1.0 point)