Abstract
The falling of an object through a non-Newtonian fluid is an interesting problem, depending on the details of the rheology of the fluid. In this paper we report on the settling of spherical objects through non-Newtonian fluids: Laponite. A falling object’s behavior in passing through a thixotropic colloidal suspension of synthetic clay, Laponite, has been reported to have many behavioral regimes. Here we report a new regime where irregular motion is observed. We argue that this irregular motion may be interpreted as onset of chaos. Observation of this regime depends on the size of the falling sphere, relaxation time of fluid and concentration of particles in the suspension.
Highlights
The falling of an object through a Newtonian fluid is a classical problem in fluid mechanics
Graphs for velocity of sphere falling through the Laponite suspension as a function of time are shown in Figures 4, which show irregular motion of a falling spherical object through Laponite suspension
Concluding Remarks We have presented experimentally various behaviors of spheres falling through Laponite
Summary
The falling of an object through a Newtonian fluid is a classical problem in fluid mechanics. The drag force experienced by a falling ball of radius R, when moving with terminal velocity U, through a fluid with viscosity μ is F = 6πμ R U [1]. Though fundamentally correct, this formula has been adjusted through modern considerations [2, 3, 4, and 5] and forms the basis of measuring viscosity in a Newtonian fluid. In this paper we present evidence that a sphere falling in Laponite may experience an irregular even chaotic motion. There are different grades of Laponite for a complete listing see [10]
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