Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 330 3 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Seek a steady downslope solution with constant. The volume conservation equation reduces to , so the constant-speed entraining gravity current on a slope hasThe conserved buoyancy flux per unit width is , givingSubstitute these expressions into the momentum equation. Its advective term is and its hydrostatic term is . The balance is thereforewhich givesThe assumed slope inequality makes . The increasing thickness dilutes reduced gravity while leaving and the buoyancy flux constant. The denominator includes both bottom drag and the momentum needed to accelerate newly entrained ambient fluid.
For slowly depositing particles, and local adjustment gives with the constant-speed entraining gravity current on a slope coefficient. At leading order and . Its validity requires settling slow compared with the current and, for small , compared with entrainment.