Abstract
We present a scaling theory for unforced inviscid two-dimensional turbulence. Our model unifies existing spatial and temporal scaling theories. The theory is based on a self-similar distribution of vortices of different sizes . Our model uniquely determines the spatial and temporal scaling of the associated vortex number density which allows the determination of the energy spectra and the vortex distributions. We find that the vortex number density scales as , which implies an energy spectrum , significantly steeper than the classical Batchelor-Kraichnan scaling. High-resolution numerical simulations corroborate the model.
- Received 13 May 2008
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.094501
©2008 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Turbulence in the troposphere
Published 8 September 2008
Scientists have developed a unifying theory to describe turbulence in two dimensions that could help explain large-scale flow in the earth’s ocean and atmosphere.
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