Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 26.3
Mechanism of viscous fingering. (a) Shows symmetrical pressure gradients (represented by
different intensities of shading) around the high-pressure, low-viscosity fluid in a Hele-Shaw cell. (b) Illustrates the
effect of the interface between the fluids developing a bulge: slow movement of the more viscous fluid results in the
development of a steeper pressure gradient ahead of the bulge. (c) The steeper the pressure gradient, the faster
the rate of advance, so the bulge grows out into a finger. As the finger lengthens, its sides can develop new bulges
by the same mechanism (amplification of an initially random irregularity).
