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An experimental Study on the Motion and Fixed Points of a Light Sphere in a Stokes’ Flow

Sauma Perez, Tania Javiera

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2016.

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Abstract

A single light sphere is placed inside of a drum completely filled with a viscous fluid. the drum rotates perpendicular to gravity such that the Reynolds number remains small.In this flow configuration there is a wide range of behaviours.We have measured eccentric fixed points, circular orbits and asymmetric orbits by the walls of the drum.A full description of these phenomena is given as a function of the size of the sphere.We have also studied the case of a porous sphere and compared it the solid case.Finally we have studied the effect of roughness on this system.

Layman's Abstract

A light sphere inside of a horizontally rotating cylinder was studied.The sphere can find an equilibrium position inside of the drum which is away from the centre. When this equilibrium position gets unstable, circular orbits are found.We studied this effect for spheres of different sizes, roughness and porosity.