The discussion clarifies the distinction between unsteady and turbulent flow in fluid dynamics. Unsteady flow is defined as time-dependent, while turbulent flow is characterized by the presence of turbulence, which is inherently unsteady. Laminar flow, on the other hand, can be either steady or unsteady, depending on the conditions. The conversation emphasizes that laminar flow is smooth and organized, contrasting with the chaotic nature of turbulent flow.
PREREQUISITESStudents and professionals in engineering, particularly those specializing in fluid mechanics, as well as anyone interested in understanding the differences between flow types in fluid dynamics.
Why does laminar include in "based on turbulence" when there are no turbulences?FEAnalyst said:We can divide fluid flows into several types, in this case based on:
- time dependence:
* steady (stationary) flow - fluid properties at any selected point in a system do not change in time
* unsteady (transient) flow - this one is time-dependent
- turbulence:
* laminar - there are no turbulences
* turbulent - turbulations are present in the system
Turbulent flow is generally always unsteady because turbulence is a time-dependent phenomenon. Such flow can be statistically stationary though.
Laminar flow can be either steady or unsteady.