Rotating Tank Experiment (RTX)
A project for PHYS 647
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Fall
2013
Douglas Ogata and Andrew Winkelman University of Alaska - Fairbanks
Background
GFD is an extensive topic often involving large scale fluid motions that are not intuitive to visualize. In attempt to understand and demonstrate these concepts of geophysical flows, there are several fascinating videos of fluid motion in a rotating tank. Rather than simply admiring filmed phenomena, this project aims to complement the theoretical formulations and lectures with experimental results.
Current experiments
Experiments with the rotating tank are outlined below:
- Flows due to a thermal gradient: Demonstrates flow due to a temperature gradient in a rotating frame
- Ekman layer: Flows due to boundary layer effects in a rotating frame