Of the problems in the linear theory of hydrodynamic stability which have been solved, only a few have been presented in the previous chapters. These few were selected both to include the major results and to illustrate the fundamental ideas of the theory. A few more problems are treated briefly in this chapter, some to indicate the variety of the applications of the theory and others to cover more advanced topics.

Instability of parallel flow of a stratified fluid

Introduction

In Chapter 4 we developed the theory of stability of parallel flow of an inviscid fluid because it has direct applications and because it is fundamental to the theory of a viscous fluid. However, it is fundamental also to the theory of stability of parallel flow of an inviscid fluid under the action of external forces. There are many force fields important in diverse applications, but lack of space obliges us to confine our attention to a single external force, and we have chosen the force of buoyancy because it is as important as any for both theoretical developments and practical applications, notably to meteorology and oceanography.