In this paper, we investigate the breakup dynamics of an inviscid liquid bridge. The volume of the liquid bridge is reduced through perturbative drainage on one side, which leads to spontaneous breakup and forms a satellite droplet. A two-dimensional model is applied to describe the liquid dynamics, and the whole breakup process up to the second pinchoff is considered. Following the previous experimental work conducted by D. Li et al. [Phys. Fluids 34, 084105 (2022)], we focus on the asymmetric behavior and the momentum of satellite droplets. The process can be sequentially divided into a quasistatic stage, an instability stage, and a pinchoff stage. The key parameter is the length-to-radius ratio of the liquid bridge, denoted $L$. For a short liquid bridge with $L\le 4.1$, the profile remains symmetric throughout the process. The pinchoff occurs simultaneously on both sides, leading to a satellite droplet without axial momentum. For a long liquid bridge with $L>4.1$, it becomes asymmetric at the onset of capillary instability, leading to nonsimultaneous pinchoff and nonzero satellite momentum. The transition from symmetric to asymmetric breakup occurs when the dominant perturbation modes of the critical state shift from even-modes to odd-modes. In contrast to the conclusion by Li $etal.$, we argue that the momentum of the satellite droplet stems primarily from the capillary impulses after the flattening moment before the first pinchoff. This work can help eliminate or utilize satellite droplets in practical applications.

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• Drop or bubble formation
• Instability of free-surface flows
• Liquid bridges