The Life and Death of a Drop - C4 Public Lectures

Explore the fascinating world of fluid dynamics in this 54-minute lecture by Sidney Nagel titled "The Life and Death of a Drop." Delve into the physics behind everyday phenomena such as crashing waves, leaking faucets, and bubble formation in oceans. Examine the process of drop formation and splashing, focusing on the topological changes that occur when liquids break into pieces. Discover the surprising complexities and dynamic singularities that emerge during droplet fission. Follow the life cycle of a drop from its birth to its demise, learning about water drops in air, viscosity effects, and the role of evaporation in stain formation. Gain insights into the nature versus nurture debate in fluid dynamics and visualize the importance of air in droplet behavior.

Intro
Example of transition: How do drops break apart?
Teenage years
Water into Air
Water Drops
Unhappy drops are all unhappy in their own way
BUT Remember water drop in air?
Two possibilities: Nature versus Nurture
10 x higher viscosity
Where is the air important? Below the drop?
Visualize air above drop
How does evaporation bring stain to edge?