Convective pattern dynamics at low Prandtl number: Part I

Abstract

We consider the temporal behaviour of convective patterns and focus on fluids with low Prandtl number, particularly with regard to evolution from a stationary state to periodic or erratic behaviour. Part I concerns the concept of pattern instabilities and major pattern defects, and part II the erratic time dependence of natural patterns, possible explanations of the phenomena and experimental tests in simple situations.