Induced free surface oscillations in a freely floating visco-elastic liquid sphere imposed to an oscillatory temperature gradient

The response of a visco-elastic liquid sphere in zero-gravity due to a time-wise oscillating temperature gradient applied at the free liquid surface has been determined analytically for a fluctuating axisymmetric temperature field. The amplitudes of the radial and angular velocity distribution as well as the free surface elevation of the liquid drop have been determined as a function of the “reduced” forcing frequency of the temperature and have numerically been evaluated for a quadratic temperature field. It was found, that visco-elasticity as described by the Maxwell model has quite some influence and appears besides the resonance amplitude with increasing relaxation time as additional peaks below and above resonance. It particularly shows inside the drop, indicating a more pronounced elastic behavior of the liquid.