Abstract
We present experimental studies of structural instabilities of convective rolls and the onset of chaos of a Rayleigh-Benard convection system of water in a rectangular container with an intermediate aspect-ratio. Dynamical process of wavenumber reduction was observed by flow-visualization. It was found that the structural instability occurs along an instability boundary which is close to the ones calculated for an infinite aspect-ratio system. A very slow oscillation ∼ 0.9 mHz was found to set in first at R = 13.4 R c in the region where knot and cross-roll instability lines for an infinite system meet each other. Subsequently, ordinary Hopf modes appeared at R =16.5 R c and 17.6 R c and then the system was found chaotic. A possible origin of the slow oscillation in terms of the competition between the roll states of slightly different wavenumbers was discussed.
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.
