MLchartDataset catalogue

Transitional flow

Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-009759

A fluid flow regime that exists between purely laminar flow and fully turbulent flow, exhibiting characteristics of both. In the atmosphere, this can occur in boundary layers where the flow transitions from smooth, ordered movement to chaotic, irregular motion. The Reynolds number is a key dimensionless quantity used to characterize this transition, typically between 2000 and 4000 for pipe flow.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-MET-009759
FieldMeteorology and atmospheric science
See alsoLaminar boundary layer; Turbulent boundary layer
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-009759",
  "term": "Transitional flow",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "A fluid flow regime that exists between purely laminar flow and fully turbulent flow, exhibiting characteristics of both. In the atmosphere, this can occur in boundary layers where the flow transitions from smooth, ordered movement to chaotic, irregular motion. The Reynolds number is a key dimensionless quantity used to characterize this transition, typically between 2000 and 4000 for pipe flow.",
  "see_also": [
    "laminar boundary layer",
    "turbulent boundary layer"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/transitional-flow/"
}

Record 9,877 of 10,816 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.