Marangoni Flow

Surface tension gradient drives convective flow

Temperature gradient1.2
Viscosity0.5
Particles600

The Marangoni effect: surface tension σ decreases with temperature, so a temperature gradient ∇T creates a gradient ∇σ along the surface. The resulting tangential stress drives fluid from hot (low σ) to cold (high σ) regions, forming convective rolls — like tears of wine or the spreading of surfactants.