Turbulence in Flowing Soap Films: Velocity, Vorticity, and Thickness Fields

Michael Rivera, Peter Vorobieff, and Robert E. Ecke
Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 1417 – Published 17 August 1998
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Abstract

We report experimental measurements of the velocity, vorticity, and thickness fields of turbulent flowing soap films using a modified particle-image velocimetry technique. These data yield the turbulent energy and enstrophy of the two-dimensional flows with microscale Reynolds numbers of about 100 and demonstrate the effects of compressibility arising from variations in film thickness. Despite the compressibility of the flow, real-space correlations of velocity, vorticity, and enstrophy flux are consistent with theoretical predictions for two-dimensional turbulence.

  • Received 3 March 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.1417

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Michael Rivera*, Peter Vorobieff, and Robert E. Ecke

  • Condensed Matter & Thermal Physics Group and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545

  • *Permanent address: Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.

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Vol. 81, Iss. 7 — 17 August 1998

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