Definition

Noun: - A type of fluid motion characterized by chaotic changes in pressure and flow velocity: In turbulent flow, the fluid undergoes irregular fluctuations and mixing, in contrast to smooth, orderly laminar flow. This occurs at high Reynolds numbers where inertial forces dominate over viscous forces.

Usage

• Used primarily in physics, engineering, and fluid dynamics to describe a specific regime of fluid motion.
• Often contrasted with "laminar flow."

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To transition to turbulent flow": Describes the process where a fluid's motion becomes chaotic.
  • As the river's speed increased, it began to transition to turbulent flow.
• "Fully developed turbulent flow": Describes a state where turbulence is consistent throughout the fluid.
  • The experiment required fully developed turbulent flow in the wind tunnel.

Variants and Related Words

• Turbulence (n): The chaotic motion characteristic of turbulent flow.
  • The airplane experienced severe turbulence during the storm.
• Laminar flow (n): The smooth, orderly flow of fluid in parallel layers, the opposite of turbulent flow.
  • The laminar flow hood provides a sterile working environment.

Synonyms

• Chaotic flow
• Eddying flow

Related Phrases

• Onset of turbulence: The point at which flow becomes turbulent.
  • The onset of turbulence occurs at a critical Reynolds number.

Noun

1. flow in which the velocity at any point varies erratically