Thermomagnetic convection in magnetic fluids influenced by a time‐modulated magnetic field

Abstract

AbstractMaterial– and flow properties of magnetic fluids can be influenced by applying an external magnetic field. In this work we will particularly consider the onset of convection in magnetic fluids which is influenced by a magnetic force. In a horizontal magnetic fluid layer the force arises if a temperature gradient and an external magnetic field is applied. The behaviour of the onset of convection is investigated for a static and a time–modulated magnetic field. For the case of a static magnetic field the onset of convection depends on the strength of the field and for a time–modulated magnetic field an additional dependence on the frequency of magnetic field variation is found. The experimental results presented here confirm in principle the theoretical predictions about the influence of static and time–modulated magnetic forces on the onset of convection. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)