Transition to Turbulence

Transition to turbulence refers to the process where smooth, steady fluid flow—called laminar flow—becomes chaotic and irregular as it speeds up or encounters obstacles. Initially, the fluid moves in orderly layers, but small disturbances grow, leading to fluctuating velocities and vortices. This change often occurs in pipes, around aircraft wings, or between weather systems. Factors like increased velocity, surface roughness, or geometric changes can trigger this shift. Understanding this transition helps in designing efficient engineering systems and predicting natural phenomena, as turbulent flow affects everything from energy loss to mixing and weather patterns.