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.