Energy principle for the onset of convection
Abstract
Onset of convective instability is considered from the energy viewpoint. In the case of an ideal (non-dissipative) gas, it is demonstrated how the well-known criterion of its convective stability can be consistently derived by using the energy principle. Simple physical interpretation of the onset of convection in an incompressible fluid is also discussed.
- Publication:
-
European Journal of Physics
- Pub Date:
- September 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0143-0807/25/5/009
- Bibcode:
- 2004EJPh...25..667V