Lesson: Steady and Turbulent Flow Physics

In this lesson, we will learn how to describe the difference between the motion of fluids in steady and turbulent fluid flow.

Lesson Plan

Students will be able to

understand that a flowing fluid can be modeled as consisting of individual streams/layers in which the fluid may flow at different speeds,
understand that a viscous fluid is one where streams/layers with different speeds that are in contact exert forces on each other that act to divert the flow direction,
understand that smoother flow corresponds to flow direction and speed remaining more constant over a flow region,
understand that more turbulent flow corresponds to flow direction and speed changing over a flow region more than it would for a smoother flow,
interpret the flow of a fluid in diagrams of lines depicting the direction and speed of streams/layers of the fluid.

Lesson Presentation

Lesson Video

Lesson Explainer

Lesson Playlist

03:09
03:08

Lesson Worksheet

Q1:

The diagram shows the flow of a fluid past a circular obstacle. The grey lines represent the direction of the fluid’s flow. The black region represents a solid obstacle to the flow.

In which of the four regions within the dashed lines is the fluid’s flow most turbulent?

In which of the four regions within the dashed lines is the fluid’s flow steadiest?

Q2:

The diagram shows the flow of a fluid past a circular obstacle. The gray lines represent the direction of the fluid’s flow. The black region represents a solid obstacle to the flow. In which of the four regions within the dashed lines is the fluid’s flow the steadiest?

Q3:

The diagram shows the flow of a fluid past a line perpendicular to the flow. The gray lines represent the direction of the fluid’s flow. The black region represents a solid obstacle to the flow.

In which of the two regions within the dashed lines is the fluid flow faster?

In which of the two regions within the dashed lines is the fluid flow steadier?