If the interface between
a gas and a liquid oscillates back and forth, if the amplitude of
oscillation is low, then the interface motion is synchronous with that
of the driver and the body of the liquid. However if the oscillatory
acceleration of the interface exceeds a certain value, then surface
waves are set up on the interface. This was first demonstrated by
Faraday in the 19th Century, when a plate of water was oscillated up
and down on a plank of wood 18 feet long. That experiment is
reconstructed here, showing TG Leighton and a technician (and
a technician (D. Theobald). (Video: PR Birkin, TG Leighton). Such waves can also be excited on the wall of a
bubble: Click here
to see a movie of this.
This page was last updated by TG
Leighton, 6 August 2004
