Question

Differentiate between streamline and turbulent flow.

Answer 1

Hint: First we will define hydrodynamics, then we will discuss streamline flow (particle of fluid follows the path of its previous particle or all particle flow in a line) and turbulent flow (particle of fluid does not follow any pattern or flow randomly).

Complete step by step answer:
Let us first define the fluid dynamics or hydrodynamics:
Fluid Dynamics: It is the subject of fluid mechanics which studies the motion of fluid (i.e. liquid and gases).
First we will look at the key points of streamline flow and after that we move on to turbulent flow.
Streamline flow:
The flow of a liquid is streamlined if every particle of the liquid follows the path of its preceding particle with exactly the same velocity.
As shown in figure below, the actual path followed by the procession of particles in the steady flow of a liquid is called a streamline.

Steady flow: The motion of fluid is called steady if the velocity of the fluid at a given point is independent of time, though the velocity may differ at different points of space.

Turbulent flow:
If the particles of liquid do not follow any pattern or the flow is random then it is known as turbulent flow.

Additional Information:
Laminar Flow: The type of liquid flow in which its layers glide over one another without mixing is called laminar flow.

Note: There is a particular velocity of flow up to which the motion of the liquid is streamline. This velocity is called critical velocity. This value of critical velocity is different for different liquids.
This must be noted that the velocity of particles in the stream line crossing a particular point is the same. But the velocity of the particles at different points in their path may not necessarily be the same.