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Non-Newtonian fluids have even made it into pop culture. #
Category: Phenomena
Paper Plane Physics
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It’s a little surprising that this would be so stable, but I don’t have any reason to believe it impossible. #
Wild Ferrofluid Shapes
In this fluid experiment, a ferrofluid–typically a liquid with a suspension of ferric particles–is exposed to rotating magnetic fields, which results in some wild shapes. #
Benard Cells
When a fluid in a gravitational field is heated from below, it can develop a Rayleigh-Benard instability which causes the formation of convection cells as in the video above. The hexagonal shape of the cells is due to the boundary conditions of the fluid. It’s possible to form other shapes like spirals. The same mechanism drives the formation of granules on the photospheres of stars like our sun.
Supersonic
Moving supersonically–faster than the local speed of sound–can cause some awesome effects. Among these are vapor cones (a.k.a. Prandlt-Glauert singularities), shock waves, and, of course, the sonic boom.
Magnetohydrodynamics
Fluid dynamics play an important role in understanding phenomena like sunspots and solar prominences. The subfield of fluid dynamics concerned with the motion of electrically conducting fluids, like the plasma that makes up the sun’s corona, is magnetohydrodynamics.
How to Blow Bubble Rings
Next time you’re at the pool, join the dolphins, moss, and volcanoes in blowing vortex rings. Here’s how: first, squeeze your lips like you’re going to give someone a kiss. Second, increase the air pressure in your mouth. Then quickly open and close your lips so a small amount of air pops out. It can require some practice, not even dolphins learn the trick right away. #
Mentos & Diet Coke in Microgravity
For a little Friday fun, consider this microgravity experiment conducted aboard the infamous Vomit Comet: what happens when you combine Diet Coke and Mentos in microgravity? For the record, I think this is the answer. (Via jshoer, who will be flying on the Vomit Comet in 2 weeks – but sadly not with a fluids experiment)
Non-Newtonian Fun
Non-Newtonian fluids are a favorite for displaying odd behaviors. High-speed video simply improves the experience.
Remember, though, that non-Newtonian fluids don’t actually become solids when you hit them. They just react similarly to a solid because they exhibit a nonlinear response to deformation.
Microgravity Boiling
Boiling a liquid is a common enough phenomenon that we are all familiar with it. But, as with many aspects of fluid mechanics, removing gravity drastically changes the situation.
