Bursting dynamics of viscous film without circular symmetry: The effect of confinement

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the bursting dynamics of a confined liquid film suspended in air and find a viscous dynamics distinctly different from the unconfined counterpart due to lack of circular symmetry in the shape of the expanding hole: the confined-viscous bursting proceeds at a constant speed and a rim formed at the bursting tip does not grow. We find a confined-viscous to confined-inertial crossover, as well as an unconfined-inertial to confined-inertial crossover, at which bursting speed does not change although the circular symmetry in the hole shape breaks dynamically.