Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Evolution of Staircase Structures in Diffusive Convection
Published on: September 5, 2018
Driving convection in a fluid layer by a temperature gradient or a heat current
1Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität des Saarlandes, D-66041 Saarbrücken, Germany.
Abstract:
Bifurcation properties, stability behavior, dynamics, and the heat transfer of convection in a horizontal fluid layer that is driven away from thermal equilibrium by imposing a vertical temperature difference are compared with those resulting from imposing a heat current. Similarities and differences are elucidated. In particular various paradigmatic backwards bifurcating convection structures that occur, e.g., in binary fluid mixtures are determined numerically for the two different driving mechanisms. Conditions are given under which current driven convection is stable when temperature driven convection is unstable.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer II
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer I
Couette Flow
Conduction, Convection and Radiation: Problem Solving
In order to solve a problem related to heat transfer, first of all, the situation needs to be examined to determine the type of heat transfer involved. This could...
Viscosity
The SI unit of viscosity is...
Viscosity

