Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2017/iii/paper-331/1/b/v/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 331 1 b v Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
For a single equal-density vortex sheet with stream speeds and , the gravitational contribution vanishes. The Kelvin-Helmholtz dispersion relation with gravity reduces to , with roots . Its positive temporal growth rate is .
Both jet parity branches have the common growth rate derived above, henceEquivalently, follows from . Equality is approached when the two interfaces are separated by many disturbance decay lengths, . The zero-shear case has both growth rates zero. For small , the growth rate ratio is approximately : interaction between the sheets suppresses amplification relative to an isolated sheet.
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