Home
University of Bergen
Geophysical Institute

24 days of kitchen oceanography

Each day a new experiement will be posted here. Reveal what is hidden behind the windows by clicking on the arrows below.

Introduction
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
Day 24

Main content

Wind-driven mixing

Day 13
13.12.2020

What’s going on with all those waves and the dye?

Vinddreven blanding
Photo:
Mirjam Glessmer, GFI

Experiment 13: 

We put one or two small drops of food coloring on a plate filled with water. As the food coloring sinks into the water, it mixes a little with the water. But when we blow over the water surface and create waves, the mixing suddenly intensifies, and dye and water become completely mixed in no time.

Chapter 13: Wind-driven mixing

But for dissolved substances, there are many processes that cause mixing. In addition to the "stirring" caused by eddies, for example wind waves on the surface also contribute to mixing.