Fluid dynamics

4 articles

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- Physics
The Power of the Waves
- By Richard Hamblyn
- November 12, 2021
- Ocean
Understanding how oceans move is key to understanding life on Earth
- Astronomy
Why Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Refuses to Die
- By Brian Gallagher
- July 13, 2017
If you want to investigate what could attack the Red Spot and make it disappear, you not only have to worry about what’s attacking the kinetic energy, like friction; you also have to worry about something that turns out to be more important—what’s attacking the potential energy. There’s a well-known reason why the potential energy […]
- Physics
The Beautiful Unpredictability of Coffee, Clouds, and Fire
- By Nicole Sharp
- July 23, 2014
Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned on the seat belt sign. Please return to your seats and ensure your seat belts are fastened.” So goes the familiar prelude to the disconcerting mid-air jostling most people associate with the term turbulence. But turbulence is far more common and far more beautiful than this bumpy ride […]
- Physics
To Predict Turbulence, Just Count the Puffs
- By Dana Mackenzie
- June 25, 2014
These tiny swirls of fluid live, die, reproduce, and spark turbulence.

The Power of the Waves