Profile and Speed of Finite Amplitude Waves in a Falling Liquid Layer

Abstract

The profiles as well as the speeds of supercritically stable surface waves are obtained for various values of surface tension, Reynolds numbers, and the angle of inclination of a falling liquid layer. The calculated values of wave speeds are in good agreement with Kapitza's measurements and the theoretically obtained wave profiles seem to resemble those appearing in his photographs. Profiles of “generalized solitary waves” which propagated at speeds several times that of the kinematic speed are also found.