 Solution

Write $D=R_e-R_i$, $S=R_e+R_i$, $A=R_e^2-R_i^2=DS$, and $\Delta p=p_i-p_e$. Incompressible flow with axial strain rate $E$ givesIts radial Stokes equation gives $p_r=0$, because $u_{r,rr}+u_{r,r}/r-u_r/r^2=0$. The radial Newtonian fluid stress tensor component is ${\sigma }_{rr}=-p-\mu E-2\mu C/r^2$. The outer and inner Young–Laplace equation conditions have opposite curvature signs:Subtracting and eliminating $C$ givesIn particular, the boxed pressure is equivalent to the printed identity for $(-p-\mu E)A$. For equal gas pressures, $C=-\gamma R_i{R}_e/(2\mu D)$, so surface tension draws both interfaces inward in addition to the imposed extension.

The kinematic boundary condition is ${\dot{R}}_j=-E{R}_j/2+C/R_j$ at either interface. Taking the difference, and then the difference of squared radii, givesThe cancellation of $C$ in the area equation is mass conservation: axial stretching reduces the liquid area while radial redistribution changes the hole size. For $E=0$, equal pressures, and $R_i(0)=b$, $R_e(0)=2b$, one has $A=3b^2$ and $D=b+\gamma t/(2\mu )$. Since $S=A/D$,Closure occurs at $D=\sqrt{A}=\sqrt{3}b$, soThis capillary collapse of an annular viscous cylinder has finite closure time for $\gamma >0$ and $b>0$. For $\gamma =0$ it does not close in this case. The annular formula is used only up to closure; the singular cylindrical inner curvature is not a boundary condition on the subsequent solid cylinder.