turbulent flow

Turbulent flow occurs when a fluid (like water or air) moves chaotically, with irregular, unpredictable swirls and eddies, rather than smooth, steady layers. This happens at high speeds or over rough surfaces, increasing mixing and energy loss. Unlike laminar flow, where layers slide smoothly past each other, turbulent flow is more complex and is characterized by rapid fluctuations and chaotic motion. It plays a key role in natural phenomena like weather patterns and in engineering situations, affecting things like vehicle aerodynamics and the efficiency of pipes and turbines.