The transient dynamics of a liquid column in a uniform transverse electric field of small strength

The transient behavior of a leaky dielectric liquid column under a uniform transverse electric field of small strength is investigated analytically. It is shown that for small distortion from a circular shape, the column boundary deforms to an ellipse and the deformation time history, D−tD−t, is D=D∞[1−exp(−t/τ)]D=D∞[1−exp(−t/τ)], where D∞D∞ is the steady state deformation and τ = a(μi + μo)/γ is the characteristic time, a, γ  , and μ˜=μi/μo being the drop radius, the surface tension, and ratio of the drop viscosity to that of the ambient fluid, respectively.

► We studied the transient dynamics of a liquid column subjected to a uniform electric field.
► The deformation time history of the column was found.
► The contribution of the electric stresses in interface deformation was found.
► The contribution of the electric stresses in fluid flow was found.