turbulent flow
Irregular fluid movement
Turbulent flow is fluid movement characterized by chaotic, irregular motion rather than smooth, parallel layers.
In physics and engineering, it contrasts with laminar flow—turbulent flow involves eddies, vortices, and unpredictable velocity changes: At high speeds, airflow over the wing becomes turbulent.
The transition point depends on factors like velocity, viscosity, and surface roughness.
Science of flowing matter
- boundary layerViscous region near walls
- dissipationGradual loss or scattering
- nonlinearityDisproportionate cause and effect
- anisotropyDirection-dependent property variation
viscosity · drag · diffusivity
Turbulent river section
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- kayakingNavigating slim watercraft seated
- raftingTraveling on buoyant platform
- riverbedFloor beneath flowing water
surge · cascade · churn · froth · torrent · undertow · hydraulics · splash
Counter-flowing circular currents
- vortexRotating fluid column
- swirlRotating, curving movement
- circulationMovement through a system
- streamlinesMakes more efficient
wake · rotation · spiral · gyre · recirculation · mixing · entrainment
Absence of organization
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- tumultNoisy, chaotic disturbance
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
confusion · disarray · upheaval · commotion · frenzy · havoc · disruption · instability
Rapid atmospheric velocity shift
- gustsSudden bursts of air
- buffetingRepeated striking or jolting
- jet streamHigh-altitude wind current
- downdraftDescending air current
updraft · crosswind · convection · thermal · windstorm
fluid dynamics
Science of flowing matter
- boundary layerViscous region near walls
- dissipationGradual loss or scattering
- nonlinearityDisproportionate cause and effect
anisotropy · viscosity · drag · diffusivity
rapids
Turbulent river section
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- kayakingNavigating slim watercraft seated
- raftingTraveling on buoyant platform
riverbed · surge · cascade · churn · froth · torrent · undertow · hydraulics · splash · waterfall
eddies
Counter-flowing circular currents
- vortexRotating fluid column
- swirlRotating, curving movement
- circulationMovement through a system
streamlines · wake · rotation · spiral · gyre · recirculation · mixing · entrainment
disorder
Absence of organization
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- tumultNoisy, chaotic disturbance
pandemonium · confusion · disarray · upheaval · commotion · frenzy · havoc · disruption · instability · erratic
wind shear
Rapid atmospheric velocity shift
- gustsSudden bursts of air
- buffetingRepeated striking or jolting
- jet streamHigh-altitude wind current
downdraft · updraft · crosswind · convection · thermal · windstorm
- Airflowairflow, air circulation, air current, air vent, vent
- flowsworkflow, backflow, current, flux, circulation
- fluid systemspumps, valves, pipes, hydraulic systems, pipelines
- aerodynamicsairflow, lift, drag, drag coefficient, wind tunnel
- CFDboundary conditions, boundary layer, pressure gradient, convergence, solvers
- fluid dynamicsfluid mechanics, fluid motion, streamlines, flowmeter, boundary layer
turbulent flowsteady state
Unchanging system condition
equilibrium · quiescent · calm · still
flow, flowing, disturb, disturbance, disturbing, disturbed, turbulent, turbulence, disturbances