| Here is my GUESS at how particles seem to move towards the center of a gyre in defiance of centrifugal force. My vision is that there is some random motion as particles are moved along by the circular motion. When this random motion moves them towards the center, the particles become "trapped" by the velocity gradient (zero at center to maximum at perimeter). The trapping is related to a relative reduction in the random motion at a lower velocity.
I also wonder if there is another factor at work. As a particle is pushed along by the circular water current, could the difference in the pressure exerted on the side of the particle facing towards the perimeter where the velocity if higher be greater than the force applied to the side of the particle facing towards the center of the gyre where the velocity if lower? If so, then there would be a net force pushing the particle towards the center.
I have never been able to find any information on this subject and do not know if I am correect in this thinking. Vogata, you seem to have an engineering background. Have you ever seen an explaination of how solids are moved towards and are concentrated at the center of a gyre? Is there a name for this?
Thanks,
steve hopkins |