The deformation of a liquid drop by an electric field (Q1091228)

The shape and stability of an incompressible dielectric drop which is stressed by a uniform external field are re-examined by considering small perturbations from a prolate spheroid. The parameters associated with the deformation are evaluated, using energy principles, for various dielectric permittivities. Furthermore the accuracy of the given approximation by considering the balance of normal stresses at the drop's surface and the results are compared with approximations obtained by other authors. It is also shown that beyond a certain drop deformation the Legendre polynomial expansion method fails because the equilibrium conditions at the surface of the drop are not satisfied.