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Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability

Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability

Published on: March 3, 2017

Vortex ring refraction at large Froude numbers.

Kerry Kuehn¹, Matthew Moeller, Michael Schulz

¹Department of Physical Sciences, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA. kerry.kuehn@wlc.edu

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

|September 28, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Vortex rings impacting fluid interfaces behave differently based on angle and interface strength. Stronger interfaces can cause reflected vortex rings to oscillate, while weaker interfaces lead to downward refraction.

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Area of Science:

Fluid Dynamics
Interface Physics

Background:

Vortex rings are fundamental structures in fluid mechanics.
Interactions between vortex rings and fluid interfaces are crucial in various natural and engineered systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally investigate the behavior of vortex rings impacting a density-stratified interface at oblique angles.
To characterize vortex ring trajectories based on incidence angle and interface strength (Atwood and Froude numbers).

Main Methods:

Experimental study of axisymmetric vortex rings impacting a gravity-induced interface.
Varying incidence angles (θ(i)) and interface strength (A/F).
Observation and categorization of vortex ring trajectories post-impact.

Main Results:

At grazing incidence angles (θ(i)≳70°), vortex rings either penetrate or reflect based on interface strength.
Reflected vortices may exhibit damped oscillations before disintegration.
At smaller incidence angles (θ(i)≲70°), vortices penetrate; they curve towards strong interfaces or refract away from weak interfaces.
A critical interface strength (log10(A/F) = -2.38 ± 0.05) distinguishes refraction from other behaviors.

Conclusions:

The trajectory of a vortex ring impacting a fluid interface is highly dependent on both the angle of incidence and the interface strength.
A critical threshold in interface strength governs whether a penetrating vortex ring refracts away from or curves towards the interface.
These findings provide a quantitative understanding of vortex-interface interactions.