Bénard Cells

Bénard cells are organized patterns of fluid circulation that form when a liquid is heated from below and cooled from above. The heat causes the fluid at the bottom to become less dense and rise in a steady, organized array of convection currents. As the warm fluid rises, cooler, denser fluid sinks, creating a pattern of hexagonal or cellular shapes known as Bénard cells. These patterns illustrate how heat transfer and fluid motion work together, often seen in experiments with heated liquids like water or oil. They are fundamental to understanding natural convection processes in various scientific and engineering contexts.