Kelvin Wave

Causing waves on the interface
between water and oil in a rotating system

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Water tank
Material Pyrex glass
Height: 20cm
Depth: 40cm
Width: 40cm
 
Working fluid
Top layer: water
Bottom layer: a mix of limonene and
methylene bromide
 
Visualization
The optical rotation properties of limonene was used to make the waves visible.
A polarizing finter was placed under the water tank, and a white light was shone from below the tank. The light was then observed after passing through another polarizing filter.1)
 
Experimental process
After spinning the tank, a wave-making block hung at the interface was oscillated vertically to create waves at the interface.