The post-collisional boundary layer on an impulsively rotated sphere

Abstract eng:
The unsteady flow generated due to the impulsive motion of a sphere is a paradigm for the study of many temporally developing boundary layers. The boundary layer is known to exhibit a finite-time singularity at the equator. We present results of a new study that focuses upon the behaviour of the flow after the onset of this singularity. Our new computational results demonstrate that the singularity in the boundary layer manifests as the ejection of a radial jet. This radial jet is preceded by a toroidal starting vortex pair which detaches and propagates away from the sphere. The radial jet subsequently develops an absolute instability, which propagates upstream towards the sphere surface. New experimental results will also be presented confirming the fundamental stages of flow evolution post the development of the finite-time singularity in the unsteady boundary-layer equations.

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