Free Thermal Convection Driven by Nonlocal Effects

TL;DR

This paper investigates a unique thermal convection phenomenon observed in molecular dynamics simulations, driven by nonlocal effects, and provides a theoretical explanation linking velocity to heat flux and pressure, supported by simulation data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel convective behavior caused by nonlocal effects and offers a quantitative theoretical model validated through simulations.

Findings

Velocity proportional to heat flux over pressure

Simulation confirms theoretical prediction

Identifies a convection type outside traditional classifications

Abstract

We report and explain a convective phenomenon observed in molecular dynamics simulations that cannot be classified either as a hydrodynamics instability nor as a macroscopically forced convection. Two complementary arguments show that the velocity field by a thermalizing wall is proportional to the ratio between the heat flux and the pressure. This prediction is quantitatively corroborated by our simulations.