The effect of gravity on the drainage of a thin liquid film between a solid sphere and a liquid/fluid interface

A study has been made of the influence of gravitational forces on the thinning of the liquid film which forms as a solid sphere comes to rest on a liquid/fluid interface. It is found that rates of drainage can be dramatically affected by the ratio of gravity to surface tension forces within the film. At long times a secondary film can possibly be formed which spreads out radially from the apex of the sphere.