What is turbulence and what causes it?

Answer 1

The most common manifestation of turbulence occurs when aircraft fly through areas of unstable air, which may contain updrafts, downdrafts, and wind shear.

However, the word "turbulence" can be applied to any fluid motion, where a smooth flow is twisted into eddies and irregular paths. It means that all particles in the system do not follow the same path, that the velocity profile for particles is different. The "Reynolds number" is used to predict the amount of turbulence.

Turbulence is usually caused by an increase in temperature and/or an increase in flow rate. Another cause for turbulence is surface roughness. The rough texture of the surface will "trip" or cause a laminar flow to become turbulent. On aircraft this increases the drag of the surface; e.g. the wing. This is one reason sail planes are very smooth, the laminar flow has less drag so the aircraft glides farther. On the other hand, there are times when you want a turbulent flow on the surface of the wing because it gives the boundary layer more energy to keep it attached, and thereby prevent or delay stalling of the wing at higher angles of attack. An example of this is seen on commercial airliners, you'll sometimes see a row of small "plates" attached to the wing or horizontal tail surface; these introduce turbulence to ensure the flow does not separate.

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Answer 2

Turbulence is caused by differences in the density or motion of the air you have been flying through.

For example if you have been flying through still air, and suddenly fly through a rapidly rising bit of air, you will be bumped upwards.

Answerwhen the plane comes into air pockets it loses altitude and drops some few hundred feet and when it comes out of the air pocket it jumps back to the approiate altitude ...thus causing the bumpy ride in between and the feeling of your stomach dropping....very nailbiting experience

Answer 3

Turbulence is the chaotic and irregular movement of fluid, such as air or water. It is caused by the interaction of different layers of fluid with varying velocities, leading to swirling eddies and fluctuations in pressure. Factors like changes in wind speed, temperature gradients, and obstacles in the fluid flow can contribute to turbulence.

Answer 4

when the water flow is unsteady and its direction of low is not predictable then the flow of water is said to turbulent.