Validity of Laplace formula and dependence of surface tension on curvature in second gradient fluids (Q1905542)

From experiments it is known that classical Laplace theory of surface tension cannot be applied to bubbles with very small radii. There are some generalizations of Laplace formula based on theories of fluids with complex rheology. The paper treats one of such generalizations based on the second gradient fluid theory. Numerical studies confirm that this theory gives good results and allows one to evaluate the dependence of surface tension on curvature very similar to experimental data.