Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Physics
Hydrodynamic Instability Of Chemical Waves, D. A. Vasquez, J. W. Wilder, Boyd F. Edwards
Hydrodynamic Instability Of Chemical Waves, D. A. Vasquez, J. W. Wilder, Boyd F. Edwards
All Physics Faculty Publications
We present a theory for the transition to convection for flat chemical wave fronts propagating upward. The theory is based on the hydrodynamic equations and the one‐variable reaction‐diffusion equation that describes the chemical front for the iodate–arsenous acid reaction. The reaction term involves the reaction rate constants and the chemical composition of the mixture. This allows the discussion of the effects of the different chemical variables on the transition to convection. We have studied perturbations of different wavelengths on an unbounded flat chemical front and found that for wavelengths larger than a critical wavelength (λ≳λc) the perturbations grow …
Convective Instability Of Autocatalytic Reaction Fronts In Vertical Cylinders, D. A. Vasquez, J. W. Wilder, Boyd F. Edwards
Convective Instability Of Autocatalytic Reaction Fronts In Vertical Cylinders, D. A. Vasquez, J. W. Wilder, Boyd F. Edwards
All Physics Faculty Publications
Linear stability analysis predicts that the onset of convection for an ascending autocatalytic reaction front in a vertical cylinder corresponds to a nonaxisymmetric mode. This mode consists of a single convective roll confined to the region near the reaction front, with fluid rising in half of the cylinder and falling in the other half. Experiments show a flat front below the onset of convection and an axisymmetric front well above the onset of convection. New experiments are called for to closely examine the onset of convection in order to test this prediction.