The effect of menisci on vortex streets on soap film flows

Abstract

In soap film experiments, the insertion of an external object is necessary to produce vorticity. However, this insertion causes local thickness changes, or simply meniscus, near the object. Because the meniscus formation may alter the flow near the object, the characterization of a meniscus is of considerable importance for the accurate interpretation of data. In this study, we insert cylindrical cones made of aluminum, titanium, and glass to measure the size of the menisci by using a long-range microscope. In all material tested, we find that the size of the meniscus is less than 0.2 mm, much shorter than the capillary length. In addition, by comparing the formation of vortex streets behind objects of different materials, we conclude that the meniscus acts as an added length to the size of the object itself. This added length effect can be non-negligible if the size of an object is comparable to the size of a meniscus.