Comparing critical temperature to mechanical onset of turbulence

[Loren Booda]

Does the critical temperature T_c of superconductivity suggest a similar parameter at the juncture between mechanical laminar and turbulent motion? In other words, is there an analogy between the electronic change at T_c and critical change in fluid flow at "room temperature"?

 

[Andy Resnick]

In some ways the concepts are similar- the system becomes unstable to perturbations as a parameter is increased, but the physical mechanisms are sufficiently distinct (and the systems behave sufficiently differently) to make the connection a fairly superficial one.

 

[Loren Booda]

Thank you, Andy.