Selected topics in Fluid Mechanics 1103-5Geo23

1. Hydrodynamic instabilities.
Boussinesq approximation. Thermal (Rayleigh-Benard) instability. Convection cells. Convection patterns in nature. Wind-generation of waves (Kelvin-Helmholtz instability). Centrifugal (Taylor-Couette) instability. Surface tension and Rayleigh-Plateau instability.

1. Boundary layer theory.
Prandtl's theory. Asymptotic expansions. Why does a plane fly?

3. Microscale flows.
What does dripping honey have in common with glacier flows and swimming bacteria? Why are microscale flows dominated by viscosity? Stokes equations. Microfluidics.

4. Geophysical fluid flows.
Equations of motion in a rotating frame. Rossby number. Geostrophic balance. Vorticity and potential vorticity. Quasi-geostrophic approximation. Internal gravity waves. Planetary (Rossby) waves. Baroclinic instability. Elements of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD).

5. Bits and pieces of interests to the attendees.
Interested in a particular aspect of fluid flows? We will happily discuss it further.