A dielectric liquid layer which has an electric field created inside it is proposed as a means for demonstrating the phenomenon of self-organization. The field is produced by distributed charge transferred by a corona discharge from the tip to the liquid surface. The theory of the phenomenon is presented. An analogy with the Rayleigh—Taylor instability is drawn and a comparison with the Benard instability is given. The practicality of the method for scientific and humanitarian audiences is examined.

PACS: 01.50.My, 01.55.+b, 05.65.+b, 47.20.Bp, 47.20.Ma (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0184.201411g.1249 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2014/11/f/ 000349435700006 2-s2.0-84922704260 2014PhyU...57.1130M Citation: Mayer V V, Varaksina E I, Saranin V A "Simple lecture demonstrations of instability and self-organization" Phys. Usp. 57 1130–1135 (2014) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 5th, March 2014, accepted: 15th, July 2014 Оригинал: Майер В В, Вараксина Е И, Саранин В А «Простые лекционные демонстрации неустойчивости и самоорганизации» УФН 184 1249–1254 (2014); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0184.201411g.1249