The Art of Turbulence
By Zellman Warhaft
Despite enormous efforts, physicists are still struggling to create a complete theory of turbulent flows. Perhaps they need a change of perspective.
This Article From Issue
November-December 2022
Volume 110, Number 6
Page 360
If you gently pour cream into a glass cup of coffee, you will see it mix in very slowly, initially remaining largely confined within its own gentle swirls. But if you give a single flick of a spoon, the two liquids will combine almost instantly. Your stirring generates turbulent eddies that transport and diffuse the cream with remarkable efficiency. Without turbulence, complete mixing could take hours. With it, the process is over in less than a second.
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