A Molecular Theory of the Onset of Turbulence

  • Amador Muriel
  • Sergei Novopashin
  • Jose Perico Esguerra
  • Edgardo Gutierrez

Abstract

We review experimental data which shows the dependence of the critical Reynolds number on molecular composition. We then use the cell model of a gas to explain the onset of turbulence by the excitation of the internal degrees of freedom of molecules. Two sources of internal energy states are identified: quantum confinement for monoatomic molecules and rotational states of diatoms.
Published
2007-09-14
Issue
Vol 11 No 2 (1999)
Section
Articles

Keywords

turbulence; Reynolds number, molecules
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