On Irregular Wavy Flow of a Liquid Film Down a Vertical Plane

Abstract

We discuss an equation describing the evolution of the surface of a disturbed film of viscous liquid flowing down a vertical plane. It is shown that the experimentally observed irregularity of wavy flow of the film is not due to external, random factors, but is a characteristic, inherent property of the flow. In this sense the flow of the thin film is yet another example of a deterministic dynamic system capable of displaying chaotic behavior.