Oscillation and synchronization in the combustion of candles.
We investigate a simple experimental system using candles; stable combustion is seen when a single candle burns, while oscillatory combustion is seen when three candles burn together. If we consider a set of three candles as a component oscillator, two oscillators, that is, two sets of three candles, can couple with each other, resulting in both in-phase and antiphase synchronization depending on the distance between the two sets. The mathematical model indicates that the oscillatory combustion in a set of three candles is induced by a lack of oxygen around the burning point. Furthermore, we suggest that thermal radiation may be an essential factor of the synchronization.
Kitahata
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan. kitahata@physics.s.chiba-u.ac.jp
Taguchi
Junji
J
Nagayama
Masaharu
M
Sakurai
Tatsunari
T
Ikura
Yumihiko
Y
Osa
Atsushi
A
Sumino
Yutaka
Y
Tanaka
Masanobu
M
Yokoyama
Etsuro
E
Miike
Hidetoshi
H