Conducting fluid dynamics experiments with vertically falling soap films

This article gives a detailed description of an apparatus in which flowing soap films are used to perform two dimensional fluid dynamics experiments. We have previously reported scientific findings made with the apparatus, but never carefully described the technique, or its full potential. A brief introduction is given on the nature of soap films as fluids and then all the details necessary for creating robust flowing films are listed. Typical parameters for the system are: flow speeds from 0.5 to 4 m/s, film thickness between 1 and 10 mum, and typical film sizes are 3 m tall and 10 cm wide although films of 20 m tall and 4 m wide have also been made. A vacuum apparatus is also described in which the air drag on the film can be reduced by a factor of 5-10. Finally, a large number of techniques for measuring flow and thickness are outlined and referenced. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.