NONLINEAR PROPAGATION OF WAVE-PACKETS ON FLUID INTERFACES

The method of multiple scales is used to derive a nonlinear partial differential equation which describes the evolution of two-dimensional wave-packets on the interface of two semi-infinite, incompressible, inviscid fluids of arbitrary densities, taking into account the effect of the surface tension, this equation is used to show that the stability of uniform wavetrains depends on the wavelength, the surface tension, and the density ratio. The results show that gravity waves are unstable for all density ratios except unity, while capillary waves are stable unless the density ratio is below approximately 0.1716. Moreover, the presence of surface tension results in the stabilization of some waves which are otherwise unstable. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Department of Agronomy
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061

  Office of Naval Research

  Department of the Navy, 800 North Quincy Street
  Arlington, VA  United States  22217
• Authors:
  • Nayfeh, A H
• Publication Date: 1974-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 25 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Gravity waves; Surface tension; Two dimensional flow; Wave motion
• Old TRIS Terms: Surface tension effects
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00072426
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: VPI-E-74-17 Res. Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: N00014-72A-0136-0002
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 12 1974 12:00AM