Electroconvective Instability with a Stabilizing Temperature Gradient. II. Experimental Results

Abstract

A uniform vertical electric field produces an instability in a poorly conducting fluid subject to a vertical temperature gradient. A previous paper presents the theory for this instability. Here measurements are made of the voltage at the threshold for instability. Since the instability occurs as an over-stability, the frequency at the threshold was also measured. These experimental results support the theory. Heat-transfer measurements show a significant increase in heat flow under the influence of electric fields.