Newtonian jet stability: The role of air resistance

Abstract

Abstract The stability of high speed laminar Newtonian jets is studied as a function of ambient air pressure. For Weber numbers less than 5.3 (based on air density) air pressure has no effect on stability. Ambient viscosity, through the effect of shear stresses acting on the jet surface, gives rise to the maximum in the breakup curve. For large Weber numbers ambient pressure effects can alter, and eventually control, the appearance of the maximum.