Paper 4, Section II, B

Fluid Dynamics II
Part II, 2017

A horizontal layer of inviscid fluid of density ρ1\rho_{1} occupying 0<y<h0<y<h flows with velocity (U,0)(U, 0) above a horizontal layer of inviscid fluid of density ρ2>ρ1\rho_{2}>\rho_{1} occupying h<y<0-h<y<0 and flowing with velocity (U,0)(-U, 0), in Cartesian coordinates (x,y)(x, y). There are rigid boundaries at y=±hy=\pm h. The interface between the two layers is perturbed to position y=Re(Aeikx+σt)y=\operatorname{Re}\left(A e^{i k x+\sigma t}\right).

Write down the full set of equations and boundary conditions governing this flow. Derive the linearised boundary conditions appropriate in the limit A0A \rightarrow 0. Solve the linearised equations to show that the perturbation to the interface grows exponentially in time if

U2>ρ22ρ12ρ1ρ2g4ktanhkh.U^{2}>\frac{\rho_{2}^{2}-\rho_{1}^{2}}{\rho_{1} \rho_{2}} \frac{g}{4 k} \tanh k h .

Sketch the right-hand side of this inequality as a function of kk. Thereby deduce the minimum value of UU that makes the system unstable for all wavelengths.