Abstract
We present measurements of the angular momentum flux (torque) in Taylor-Couette flow of water between independently rotating cylinders for all regions of the (, ) parameter space at high Reynolds numbers, where () is the inner (outer) cylinder angular velocity. We find that the Rossby number fully determines the state and torque as compared to . The ratio is a linear function of in four sections of the parameter space. For flows with radially increasing angular momentum, our measured torques greatly exceed those of previous experiments [Ji et al., Nature (London), 444, 343 (2006)], but agree with the analysis of Richard and Zahn [Astron. Astrophys. 347, 734 (1999)].
- Received 27 September 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.024501
© 2011 The American Physical Society
Synopsis
Heat and twist of turbulent flows
Published 18 January 2011
Turbulent flow around cylinders can tell us plenty about physics of fluids on earth and in astrophysical systems.
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