Calculate the volume of the sphere: Alternatively, place the sphere in a graduated cylinder half filled with water the displacement of the water is equal to the volume of. Have students measure the density of the sphere. We shall concentrate on laminar flow for the remainder of this section, leaving certain aspects of turbulence for later sections. The density of the fluid is the mass over the volume. The drag both between adjacent layers of fluid and between the fluid and its surroundings forms swirls and eddies, if the speed is great enough. First, any obstruction or sharp corner, such as in a faucet, creates turbulence by imparting velocities perpendicular to the flow.
Streamlines are smooth and continuous when flow is laminar, but break up and mix when flow is turbulent. The lines that are shown in many illustrations are the paths followed by small volumes of fluids. When there is turbulence, the layers mix, and there are significant velocities in directions other than the overall direction of flow. Layers flow without mixing when flow is laminar. (credit: Creativity103)įigure shows schematically how laminar and turbulent flow differ. If you watch the smoke (being careful not to breathe on it), you will notice that it rises more rapidly when flowing smoothly than after it becomes turbulent, implying that turbulence poses more resistance to flow. The smooth flow is called laminar flow, whereas the swirls and eddies typify turbulent flow. \): Smoke rises smoothly for a while and then begins to form swirls and eddies.
