Abstract
The stability properties of steady two-dimensional solutions describing convection in a horizontal fluid layer heated from below with stress-free boundaries are investigated in the neighbourhood of the critical Rayleigh number. The region of stable convection rolls as a function of the wavenumber α and the Rayleigh number R is bounded towards higher α by the monotonic skewed varicose instability, while towards low wavenumbers stability is limited by the zigzag instability or by the oscillatory skewed varicose instability. Only for a limited range of Prandtl numbers, 0·543 < P < ∞, does a finite domain of stability exist. In particular, convection rolls with the critical wavenumber αc are always unstable.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
