June 2nd 2023 Oscillating Water Droplet amysteriousperson

Consider a spherical water droplet with radius R, density ρ, and surface tension σ. In this problem,
we are going to study the small oscillation of such droplet, more specifically the mode where the
droplet can be approximate as a spheroid.

ρ, σ
R

2R(1 − η)

2R(1 + ϵ)

Let the symmetrical axis of the spheroid be horizontal in the figure. The goal is to find the small
oscillation period T . Now, there are multiple approaches to solve this problem. I will present the
one that I am the most comfortable with. Feel free to divert from the suggested steps if you found
yourself something else that you prefer more.
1. Up to the second order, prove that ϵ̇2 = 4η̇ 2 .
2. Denote the coordinate along the symmetrical axis by z and the distance away from this axis
by r such that −R(1 + ϵ) ≤ z ≤ R(1 + ϵ) and 0 ≤ r ≤ R(1 − η). We will denote the starting
coordinate (the coordinates when the droplet is in is equilibrium position) of a infinitesimal
volume element by z0 and r0 . Prove that the speed along the two axis of such volume element
are:
z0 r0
vz = ϵ̇, and vr = η̇
R R
3. From here, find the kinetic energy of an infinitesimal element of water with starting position
z0 → z0 + dz0 and r0 → r0 + dr0 (such infinitesimal volume would be a thin circular ribbon
with thickness dz0 ). Integrate to find the kinetic energy of the entire droplet.
4. Find the integral needed to calculate the surface area of the droplet.
5. Approximate and calculate the integral. Keep everything up to the second order. (Hint: Do
not substitute ϵ = 2η, as it is only correct to the first order)
6. Using conservation of energy, you should get the equation of the form:
1 1
E = mef f ϵ̇2 + kef f ϵ2 = const
2 2
From here, obtain the period of small oscillation.
1
Taylor series: (1 + x)α ≈ 1 + αx + α(α − 1)x2
2