Exercise 7

Calculate the Rayleigh number for the unstable case shown in Figure 9b. Assume that μ = 1 × 10⁻³ kg m⁻¹ s⁻¹, k = 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m², D_T = 1 × 10⁻⁶ m² s⁻¹ and ∆ρ = 3 kg m⁻³. This value of ∆ρ is the approximate density difference at the moment when the boundary layer becomes unstable after about 2400 years. Compare your evaluation with the animated version of this problem.

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