Author(s)

G. LORENZINI

Abstract

The thermodynamic effect of a density gradient in a colder fluid as a result of a hotter plate located below it is something that is well known. However, its use as a flow field indicator using a light coil shaped body is a recent application developed by the author of this paper. The paper contributes to bring ahead this concept by a parametrical experimental analysis aimed at assessing the relationship among three of the parameters that mainly influence the whole process: the angular velocity of the coil as a dependent variable; the number of turns in the coil as the first independent variable and the weight of the coil as the second independent variable. A suitable apparatus was realized. The tests performed showed that, apart from a very few cases, an increase in the number of turns produces an increase in the angular velocity of the coil. A particular behaviour is observed for the weight of the coil: an increase in weight augments the angular velocity for small values, while for larger values th

Keywords

coil, density gradient, flow field, number of turns, rotation, thermodynamics