Onset of Turbulence in a Rotating Fluid

J. P. Gollub; Harry L. Swinney

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.35.927

Onset of Turbulence in a Rotating Fluid

J. P. Gollub and Harry L. Swinney

Phys. Rev. Lett. 35, 927 – Published 6 October 1975

Abstract

Light-scattering measurements of the time-dependent local radial velocity in a rotating fluid reveal three distinct transitions as the Reynolds number is increased, each of which adds a new frequency to the velocity spectrum. At a higher, sharply defined Reynolds number all discrete spectral peaks suddenly disappear. Our observations disagree with the Landau picture of the onset of turbulence, but are perhaps consistent with proposals of Ruelle and Takens.

Received 17 July 1975

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.35.927

Authors & Affiliations

J. P. Gollub^*,† and Harry L. Swinney

Physics Department, City College of the City University of New York, New York, New York 10031

^*Work performed while on leave from the Physics Department, Haverford College, Haverford, Pa. 19041.
^†J.P.G. gratefully acknowledges the support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.