What does laminar flow explain?
Laminar flow, type of fluid (gas or liquid) flow in which the fluid travels smoothly or in regular paths, in contrast to turbulent flow, in which the fluid undergoes irregular fluctuations and mixing. The fluid in contact with the horizontal surface is stationary, but all the other layers slide over each other.
What is turbulent shear stress?
The tendency for molecular motions to even out the velocity distribution in a sheared fluid is in part the physical cause of the resistance of a fluid to shearing. This is called the turbulent shear stress or, usually, the Reynolds stress.
What is laminar turbulent and transitional flow?
In fluid dynamics, the process of a laminar flow becoming turbulent is known as laminar–turbulent transition. The main parameter characterizing transition is the Reynolds number. The process applies to any fluid flow, and is most often used in the context of boundary layers.
What are the difference between laminar and turbulent flow?
Laminar flow or streamline flow in pipes (or tubes) occurs when a fluid flows in parallel layers, with no disruption between the layers. Turbulent flow is a flow regime characterized by chaotic property changes. This includes rapid variation of pressure and flow velocity in space and time.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of turbulent flow?
A turbulent flow can be either an advantage or disadvantage. A turbulent flow increases the amount of air resistance and noise; however, a turbulent flow also accelerates heat conduction and thermal mixing. Therefore, understanding, handling, and controlling turbulent flows can be crucial for successful product design.
Why is turbulent flow important?
The mixing action of the turbulent flow enhances the temperature averaging effect in addition to the transfer of energy from the hot water to the surrounding fluid. When a hot object is cooled, the mixing action of turbulent flows in the fluid surrounding the object plays an important role in cooling it (Figure 2.3).
What does being turbulent mean?
adjective. being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed: turbulent feelings or emotions. characterized by, or showing disturbance, disorder, etc.: the turbulent years. given to acts of violence and aggression: the turbulent young soldiers.
How do you calculate velocity and flow rate?
Flow rate Q is defined to be the volume V flowing past a point in time t, or Q=Vt where V is volume and t is time. The SI unit of volume is m3. Flow rate and velocity are related by Q=A¯v where A is the cross-sectional area of the flow and v is its average velocity.