Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 April 2006
When a water tap is turned off gradually, a critical point is reached at which the flow changes abruptly from a continuous stream to a series of drops that form at the tap. This problem is studied within the context of a one-dimensional (Cosserat) jet theory. The exact inviscid, steady, nonlinear jet equations are solved and steady draw-down shapes are obtained for various values of Weber and Bond numbers. A critical Weber number is obtained (as a function of Bond number) below which no steady solution is found that satisfies the constraints imposed at the nozzle. The results are compared with classical experiments and appear to explain the observed ‘first critical velocity’.