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Figure 4.1: The progression of the front. The time stamp shown is relative to the time at which the can was removed, allowing the two fluids to meet.
Initially, the shape of the front resembles a Gaussian, with a wide sloping surface and flat top. As the experiment progresses, the front boundary gradually sinks relative to the free surface. Its sides flatten and the width of the center peak narrows.
Using equation x, we calculate the predicted radius of deformation to be around 20 centimeters, or half of the width of the tank. Given that Since the boundary of the front extends all the way to the outside of the tank, close to, but not at, about 3/4 of the distance to the bottom of the tank, the actual radius of deformation for this front is slightly larger than this prediction. Because of this, we see the slope of the front decrease towards the edge of the tank, as the front has no more room to spread outwards.
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