Basic flow in this problem can be represented by:

2 0 2
1 0 1
z for z>o
( ) p(z)= P(z)=
z for z<o
i
i
U p g
U z
U p g



=



(0.1)
Using Kelvins method and considering the elevation in a vortex sheet disturbed by initial
disturbance as
( , ) z x t = (0.2)
We proceed to derivation of governing equations for this flow now by assuming the existence of a
velocity potential on each side of the interface between the two streams with
u = (0.3)
Where

2
1
for z>
for z<

(0.4)
By equations for continuity and incompressibility given . 0 u = we get

2
1
0 for z>
0 for z<


=

(0.5)
Now using the boundary conditions as given by:
1. Initial disturbance may be supposed to occur in a finite region so that for all time
as z u (0.6)
2. Fluid particles at the interface must move with the interface without the two fluids
occupying the same point at the same time and without a cavity forming between the fluids.
Therefore the vertical velocity at the interface is given by:
at z=
D
z Dt t x x y y



= = + +

(0.7)
Discontinuity of the tangential velocity at the interface leads to two equations:
at z= for k=1,2
k k k
D
z Dt t x x y y



= = + +

(0.8)
3. Normal stress of the fluid is continuous at eh interface. For an inviscid fluid, this gives the
dynamical condition that the pressure is continuous, therefore by Bernoullis theorem for
irrotational flow we get:

2 2 1 2
1 1 1 2 2 2
[ 0.5( ) ] [ 0.5( ) ] at z= C gz C gz
t t



=

(0.9)
Where C
1
, C
2
are related by:

2 2
1 1 2 2
( 0.5( ) ) ( 0.5( ) ) C U C U = (0.10)
Equations 4-9 represent the governing equations of this problem; to solve them let us linearize
them. First for linear stability we express as below, where neglect eh products of small perturbations

'
2 2
'
1 1
for z>
for z<
Ux
Ux


= +
= +
(0.11)
Now, using the Taylor series expansion, neglecting the small terms and replacing the exact position
of the interface by z=0 z = we can linearize equations 4-9 to following form:

'
' '
0 0 ...
[ ] [ ] [ ]
k
k z k z z
z

= = = +

= +

(0.12)

' '
2 1
0 for z>0 0 for z<0 = = (0.13)

'
0 as z fr k-1,2
k
(0.14)

'
at z=0, for k=1,2
k
k
U
z t x

= +

(0.15)

' ' ' '
1 1 2 2
1 2
( ) ( ) U g U g
x t x t



+ + = + +

(0.16)
Using the method of normal modes, we can resolve an arbitrary disturbance into independent
modes as:

' ' ( )
1 2 1 2

( , , ) ( , ( ), ( ))
kx ly st
z z e

+ +
= (0.17)
This reduces our problem to ordinary differential system with z as dependent variable and its
solution can be expressed as:


2 2 2

( )
kz kz
z A e B e

= + (0.18)
Where according to eq. 13 B
2
=0, hence

2 2

( )
kz
z A e

= (0.19)
Similarly,

1 1

( )
kz
z A e = (0.20)
Using eq. 15 we find the value of constants as:

2 1

( ) , ( )

A s kU A s kU
k k

= + = (0.21)
Using eq. 16 we get the following eigenvalue relation,

2 2
1 2

[ ( ) ] [ ( ) ] kg s kU kg s kU + = + (0.22)
Solving this relation, we get:

1/2
2 2
1 2 1 2 1 2
2
1 2 1 2 1 2

( ) ( 2 ) ( )
( )
U U k U kg
s k

( +
=
(
+ + +

(0.23)
To write it in standard form as required by part 1 of the question, we convert it into phase velocity
form as following and also representing k by , we get:

s
c
k

= (0.24)

1/2
2 2
1 2
2 1 1 2 2
1 2
( )
4
g
U
c U

(
| |
(
|
\ . (

=
+
(0.25)
Now
a. When heavier fluid is on top i.e.
2 1
> there will always be a positive imaginary part as is
clear from eq. 23, hence the flow will always be unstable.
b. When lower fluid is heavier I.e.
1 2
> , for positive imaginary part and hence instability

2 2
1 2
1 2 2
( )
4
g
U

>
And hence

2 2
1 2
2
1 2
( )
4
g
U

>
c. When U=0, we can reduce eq. 25 to
1/2
2 2
2
1 2
2 1 1 2
1 2
1/2
2 2
1 2
1 2
1/2
1 2
1 2
( )
( ) 4
( )
( )
( )
g
U U
c
g
c
g
c

| |

|
\ .
=
+
| |

|
\ .
=
+
| |
=
|
+
\ .

Which is neutrally stable