 Solution

Balance the two terms in the planar viscous-sheet stretching equations over the transition. The velocity changes by $O(U)$ on length $\delta$, and $h_{xxx}=O(h_0/{\delta }^3)=O(1/(a\delta ))$. ThusUsing the geometric transition length givesThis balances capillary forcing with planar extensional viscous stress, not the no-slip Poiseuille resistance appropriate to a film bounded by rigid walls.