Turbulence in Fluid Flow
by Owen Borville
July 17, 2024
Turbulence, the fluid motion characterized by chaotic changes in pressure and flow velocity, remains an unsolved problem in classical physics.
It is in contrast to laminar flow, which occurs when a fluid flows in parallel layers with no disruption between those layers.
Turbulence occurs during the mixing of different liquids, gases, and even in hot plasma in outer space. Turbulence can be observed in ocean surfs, fast flowing rivers, storm clouds, or smoke from a chimney.
Most fluid flows that occur in nature or in engineering applications are turbulent.
Leonard da Vinci studied turbulence in the 15th century. In the 19th century, Claude Navier and George Stokes derived equations for the motion of fluids including gases.
However, these Navier-Stokes equations do not give a fundamental mathematical theory of turbulence.
The dimensionless Reynolds number can help predict the beginning of turbulence, however a detailed physical analysis of turbulence cannot be made.
One reason is the unpredictability of or speed at which when an orderly flow (laminar, non-turbulent flow) of fluid (liquid, water, or air) will become or transition into turbulent flow.
Another reason is the nature of the flow is highly sensitive to obstructions and roughness along the path of the fluid.
In addition, there are uncertainties about local isotropy.
Turbulence impacts technology and design of airplanes and pipelines, and therefore, knowledge about the turbulence process is very important in creating the design of these essential products.
In addition, turbulence impacts the prediction of natural phenomena like severe weather, creating more difficulty in the predictions.
Mathematical formulas for fluid flow do exist, however, they do not describe turbulent flow completely.
American physicist and Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman once described turbulence as "the most important unsolved problem of classical physics."
artstechnica.com
mpg.de/7078493/Einstein-turbulence
mit.edu
by Owen Borville
July 17, 2024
Turbulence, the fluid motion characterized by chaotic changes in pressure and flow velocity, remains an unsolved problem in classical physics.
It is in contrast to laminar flow, which occurs when a fluid flows in parallel layers with no disruption between those layers.
Turbulence occurs during the mixing of different liquids, gases, and even in hot plasma in outer space. Turbulence can be observed in ocean surfs, fast flowing rivers, storm clouds, or smoke from a chimney.
Most fluid flows that occur in nature or in engineering applications are turbulent.
Leonard da Vinci studied turbulence in the 15th century. In the 19th century, Claude Navier and George Stokes derived equations for the motion of fluids including gases.
However, these Navier-Stokes equations do not give a fundamental mathematical theory of turbulence.
The dimensionless Reynolds number can help predict the beginning of turbulence, however a detailed physical analysis of turbulence cannot be made.
One reason is the unpredictability of or speed at which when an orderly flow (laminar, non-turbulent flow) of fluid (liquid, water, or air) will become or transition into turbulent flow.
Another reason is the nature of the flow is highly sensitive to obstructions and roughness along the path of the fluid.
In addition, there are uncertainties about local isotropy.
Turbulence impacts technology and design of airplanes and pipelines, and therefore, knowledge about the turbulence process is very important in creating the design of these essential products.
In addition, turbulence impacts the prediction of natural phenomena like severe weather, creating more difficulty in the predictions.
Mathematical formulas for fluid flow do exist, however, they do not describe turbulent flow completely.
American physicist and Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman once described turbulence as "the most important unsolved problem of classical physics."
artstechnica.com
mpg.de/7078493/Einstein-turbulence
mit.edu