Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / iii / Paper 337 / 1 / ii / Solution

Take $h=2k_c$ and $D=d/dz$. Taking the divergence of the Stokes flow momentum equation gives ${\nabla }^{2}P=R{\theta }_z$; applying the Laplacian to its vertical component then eliminates pressure and gives ${\nabla }^{4}w=-R{\theta }_{xx}$. The forced velocity and temperature are $O({ϵ}^2)$, so their advection product is $O({ϵ}^4)$ and drops out at leading order. The steady heat equation reduces to $w_0+{\nabla }^2{\theta }_0=0$.

Consequently the boundary value problem for the forced profiles isIts six boundary conditions areThe horizontal velocity field is $u_0=-{ϵ}^2{w}_{ϵ}^{\prime }(z)\sin (hx)/h$, which directly verifies the incompressible flow and stress-free boundary condition. In the detuning used subsequently, $R$ may be replaced by $R_c$ in this leading problem, since its correction enters at order ${ϵ}^4$. The vertical profiles depend linearly on $\gamma$.

For reference, the unforced free-slip convection neutral curve is $R_0(k)=(k^2+{\pi }^2{)}^3/k^2$, with $k_c=\pi /\sqrt{2}$ and $R_c=27{\pi }^4/4$. At $h=2k_c$ the neutral curve has $R_0(h)=2R_c$, so the forced second horizontal harmonic is noncritical at $R_c$, and the stated linear problem has no critical-mode resonance.