The interaction of two parallel vortices of equal circulation is observed experimentally. For low Reynolds numbers (Re), the vortices remain two dimensional and merge into a single one, when their time-dependent core size exceeds approximately 30% of the vortex separation distance. At higher Re, a three-dimensional (3-D) instability is discovered, showing the characteristics of an elliptic instability of the vortex cores. The instability rapidly generates small-scale turbulent motion, which initiates merging for smaller core sizes and produces a bigger final vortex than for laminar 2-D flow.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Meunier et al. (2001) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: