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Double-Diffusive Convection. The cover shows salinity in a direct numerical simulation of saltwater turbulence. The upper layer is relatively warm and salty, and is flowing to the left. The lower layer is cooler and fresher, and is flowing to the right. The kinetic energy of the currents—as well as the vastly different molecular properties of heat and salt—generate turbulence, resulting in enhanced fluxes of momentum, heat, and salt between the water layers. Heavers and Colucci describe a simple, inexpensive experiment or demonstration that uses ordinary table sugar and salt solutions to show double-diffusive convection. These activities help students visualize and understand the combined roles of molecular diffusion and density-driven convection in a remarkable, two-component, transport phenomenon.
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