Multistate flow devices for geophysical fluid dynamics and climate

Abstract

Two fluid devices exhibit simple aspects of nonlinear finite-amplitude instability in laminar fluid flow. The first shows multiequilibria; two steady flow regimes can be found within a certain range of the control parameter. The flow exhibits hysteresis as the control parameter is slowly increased and then decreased through this range of the control parameter. The second shows transition from steady flow to finite amplitude oscillations within a certain range. The two experiments share similar dynamics and only use different control parameters. A third experiment is described that exhibits either multiequilibria or oscillations, depending on which variable is selected to be the control parameter.