SURFACE-TENSION AND BUOYANCY EFFECTS ON A FREE-FREE LAYER

The problem under study is convective flow in a liquid layer with two horizontal interfaces. The flow results from the interaction of two horizontal interface tension forces of different magnitude with additional buoyancy forces acting perpendicular to the interfaces. To study the contribution of buoyancy forces on this convective flow, the gravity level perpendicular to the interfaces is varied from microgravity level to earth gravity and beyond to high-g. This creates a fluid mechanical system where buoyancy forces of variable strength may augment or oppose interfacial tension driven convection. Regions of distinct flow patterns are identified.