Intensity of vortices: from soap bubbles to hurricanes

By using a half soap bubble heated from below, we obtain large isolated single vortices whose properties as well as their intensity are measured under different conditions. By studying the effects of rotation of the bubble on the vortex properties, we found that rotation favors vortices near the pol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2013-12, Vol.3 (1), p.3455-3455, Article 3455
Main Authors: Meuel, T., Xiong, Y. L., Fischer, P., Bruneau, C. H., Bessafi, M., Kellay, H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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639/766/189
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704/106/694/1108
Cyclones
Engineering Sciences
Fluid mechanics
Fluids mechanics
Humanities and Social Sciences
Hurricanes
Mechanics
multidisciplinary
Physics
Science
Tropical cyclones
Velocity
Vortices
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Summary:By using a half soap bubble heated from below, we obtain large isolated single vortices whose properties as well as their intensity are measured under different conditions. By studying the effects of rotation of the bubble on the vortex properties, we found that rotation favors vortices near the pole. Rotation also inhibits long life time vortices. The velocity and vorticity profiles of the vortices obtained are well described by a Gaussian vortex. Besides, the intensity of these vortices can be followed over long time spans revealing periods of intensification accompanied by trochoidal motion of the vortex center, features which are reminiscent of the behavior of tropical cyclones. An analysis of this intensification period suggests a simple relation valid for both the vortices observed here and for tropical cyclones.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/srep03455