Theory and modeling of rotating fluids: convection, inertial waves and precession

Zhang, K., & Liao, X. (2017). Theory and modeling of rotating fluids: Convection, inertial waves, and precession. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139024853

2 Introduction

2.1 Formulation

Equations:

ut+2z^×u+p=0(2.7)\frac{\partial \boldsymbol{u}}{\partial t}+2\hat{\boldsymbol{z}}\times\boldsymbol{u}+\nabla p=0 \tag{2.7}

u=0(2.8)\nabla\cdot\boldsymbol{u}=0 \tag{2.8}

Assuming solutions:

u(r,t)=u(r)ei2σt, p(r,t)=p(r)ei2σt(2.9)\boldsymbol{u}(\boldsymbol{r},t)=\boldsymbol{u}(\boldsymbol{r})e^{i2\sigma t},\ p(\boldsymbol{r},t)=p(\boldsymbol{r})e^{i2\sigma t} \tag{2.9}

2.2 Frequency Bound

The half-frequency bound:

1σ1-1\le \sigma \le 1

2.5 The Poincaré Equation

2p1σ2(z^)2p=0(2.47)\nabla^2 p-\frac{1}{\sigma^2}(\hat{\boldsymbol{z}}\cdot\nabla)^2 p=0 \tag{2.47}

3 Rotating Narrow-gap Annuli

3.1 Formulation

Fig 3.1

2iσx^u2y^u+px=0(3.1)2i\sigma\hat{\boldsymbol{x}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}-2\hat{\boldsymbol{y}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}+\frac{\partial p}{\partial x}=0 \tag{3.1}

2iσy^u+2x^u+py=0(3.2)2i\sigma\hat{\boldsymbol{y}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}+2\hat{\boldsymbol{x}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}+\frac{\partial p}{\partial y}=0 \tag{3.2}

2iσz^u+pz=0(3.3)2i\sigma\hat{\boldsymbol{z}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}+\frac{\partial p}{\partial z}=0 \tag{3.3}

3.2 Axisymmetric Inertial Oscillations

We often employ a triple index notation, for example, umnk\boldsymbol{u}_{mnk} and σmnk\sigma_{mnk}, to denote an axisymmetric oscillation mode:

index repersent
mm the azimuthal structure
nn the vertical structure
kk the radial structure

The axisymmetric inertial oscillation mode:

x^u0nk=[kπ2Γ(1σ0nk2)]sin(kπyΓ)cosnπz(3.13)\hat{\boldsymbol{x}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}_{0nk}=\left[\frac{k\pi}{2\Gamma(1-\sigma_{0nk}^2)}\right]\sin\left(\frac{k\pi y}{\Gamma}\right)\cos n\pi z \tag{3.13}

y^u0nk=[iσ0nkkπ2Γ(1σ0nk2)]sin(kπyΓ)cosnπz(3.14)\hat{\boldsymbol{y}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}_{0nk}=\left[\frac{i\sigma_{0nk} k\pi}{2\Gamma(1-\sigma_{0nk}^2)}\right]\sin\left(\frac{k\pi y}{\Gamma}\right)\cos n\pi z \tag{3.14}

z^u0nk=(inπ2σ0nk)cos(kπyΓ)sinnπz(3.15)\hat{\boldsymbol{z}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}_{0nk}=-\left(\frac{in\pi}{2\sigma_{0nk}}\right)\cos\left(\frac{k\pi y}{\Gamma}\right)\sin n\pi z \tag{3.15}

with the half-frequency

σ0nk=±nΓ(Γn)2+k2(3.16)\sigma_{0nk}=\pm\frac{n\Gamma}{\sqrt{(\Gamma n)^2+k^2}} \tag{3.16}

3.4 Non-axisymmetric Inertial Waves

x^umnk=12[n2π2σmnksin(kπyΓ)kmπΓcos(kπyΓ)]cosnπz eimx(3.31)\hat{\boldsymbol{x}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}_{mnk}=\frac{1}{2}\left[\frac{n^2\pi^2}{\sigma_{mnk}}\sin\left(\frac{k\pi y}{\Gamma}\right)-\frac{km\pi}{\Gamma}\cos\left(\frac{k\pi y}{\Gamma}\right)\right]\cos n\pi z\ e^{imx} \tag{3.31}

y^umnk=i2[(n2π2+m2)sin(kπyΓ)]cosnπz eimx(3.32)\hat{\boldsymbol{y}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}_{mnk}=\frac{i}{2}\left[\left(n^2\pi^2+m^2\right)\sin\left(\frac{k\pi y}{\Gamma}\right)\right]\cos n\pi z\ e^{imx} \tag{3.32}

z^umnk=i2[mnπσmnksin(kπyΓ)+nkπ2Γcos(kπyΓ)]sinnπz eimx(3.33)\hat{\boldsymbol{z}}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}_{mnk}=-\frac{i}{2}\left[\frac{mn\pi}{\sigma_{mnk}}\sin\left(\frac{k\pi y}{\Gamma}\right)+\frac{nk\pi^2}{\Gamma}\cos\left(\frac{k\pi y}{\Gamma}\right)\right]\sin n\pi z\ e^{imx} \tag{3.33}

with the half-frequency

σmnk=±nπn2π2+m2+(kπ/Γ)2(3.34)\sigma_{mnk}=\pm\frac{n\pi}{\sqrt{n^2\pi^2+m^2+(k\pi/\Gamma)^2}} \tag{3.34}


Theory and modeling of rotating fluids: convection, inertial waves and precession
http://jingliangwei.github.io/blog-hexo/2026/03/26/Theory-and-modeling-of-rotating-fluids-convection-inertial-waves-and-precession/
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Arwell
Posted on
March 26, 2026
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