Low-cost table-top experiments for teaching multi-scale geophysical fluid dynamics

Multi-scale instabilities are ubiquitous in atmospheric and oceanic flows and are essential topics in teaching geophysical fluid dynamics. Yet these topics are often difficult to teach and counter-intuitive to new learners. In this paper, we introduce our state-of-the-art Do-It Yourself Dynamics (DI...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Frontiers in Marine Science Vol. 10
Main Authors:	Moscoso, Jordyn E., Tripoli, Rachel E., Chen, Shizhe, Church, William J., Gonzalez, Henry, Hill, Spencer A., Khoo, Norris, Lonner, Taylor L., Aurnou, Jonathan M.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Frontiers Media S.A 15-08-2023
Subjects:	deep ocean convection experiments geophysical fluid dynamics multi-scale instabilities teaching
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Multi-scale instabilities are ubiquitous in atmospheric and oceanic flows and are essential topics in teaching geophysical fluid dynamics. Yet these topics are often difficult to teach and counter-intuitive to new learners. In this paper, we introduce our state-of-the-art Do-It Yourself Dynamics (DIYnamics) LEGO ® robotics kit that allows users to create table-top models of geophysical flows. Deep ocean convection processes are simulated via three experiments – upright convection, thermal wind flows, and baroclinic instability – in order to demonstrate the robust multi-scale modeling capabilities of our kit. Detailed recipes are provided to allow users to reproduce these experiments. Further, dye-visualization measurements show that the table-top experimental results adequately agree with theory. In sum, our DIYnamics setup provides students and educators with an accessible table-top framework by which to model the multi-scale behaviors, inherent in canonical geophysical flows, such as deep ocean convection.
ISSN:	2296-7745 2296-7745
DOI:	10.3389/fmars.2023.1192056