The circular hydraulic jump

Abstract

The circular hydraulic jump commonly forms on a horizontal plate struck by a vertical jet of liquid. New observations of this phenomenon are described. A previously unreported instability of the jump is examined. This is shown to arise when the local Reynolds number R j just ahead of the jump exceeds a critical value of 147. Prior to this instability, the flow behind the jump contains a closed eddy, the length of which decreases to zero as R j increases towards its critical value. Physical explanations for this flow structure and instability are proposed. Accurate measurements of liquid depths were made using a light-absorption technique, in which a laser was shone through water containing a strong dye. Liquid depths ahead of and behind the jump were so determined and depth profiles of the jump in the stable regime were obtained. As the outer depth was increased, the jump closed in on the jet and eventually disappeared: this extinction of the jump is also investigated.