On the difference between waves and turbulence in a stratified fluid
Abstract
What are the theoretical and experimental physical differences between waves and turbulence? The motivation behind this question is related to the practical problems associated with laser beam propagation and pollution transport in the atmosphere. Because turbulence causes mixing and waves do not, one must not regard turbulence as a field of random waves. The power density spectrum of velocity fluctuations, when taken alone, cannot be used to distinguish between waves and turbulence. Its physical interpretation can differ radically depending upon which type of motion is involved. Two approaches are used here to differentiate theoretically and experimentally between waves and turbulence. The first involves the degree of interaction between modes. The second approach depends on the mixing property of turbulence.
- Publication:
-
Final Report Air Force Geophysics Lab
- Pub Date:
- November 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982afgl.reptT....D
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Optics;
- Atmospheric Physics;
- Laser Outputs;
- Pollution Transport;
- Turbulent Boundary Layer;
- Wave Propagation;
- Fluid Dynamics;
- Power Spectra;
- Radiant Flux Density;
- Turbulent Mixing;
- Two Dimensional Flow;
- Velocity Distribution;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer