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Published December 1971 | public
Journal Article

On the Spectrum and Decay of Random Two-Dimensional Vorticity Distributions at Large Reynolds Number

Saffman, P. G.

Abstract

The hypothesis is made that the vorticity distribution in a field of random two-dimensional vorticity (two-dimensional turbulence) develops discontinuities. The energy spectrum is then calculated and shown to behave like k^(−4) for large values of the wave-number k. The rates of decay of mean square vorticity and velocity are estimated. An expression for the growth of length scale is obtained and it is noted that the size of turbulent trailing vortices is apparently well fitted by the formula.

Additional Information

© 1971 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Received: 20 April 1971.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 26, 2023