Experimental investigation of two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence and its relevance to large scale geophysical flows

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6099659

Henoch, C W

Experimental results-both dynamic and heat transfer-of strongly anisotropic turbulent MHD flows are presented and compared with theory and observations of large scale oceanic and atmospheric flows. An inquiry is carried out to ascertain whether it may be possible that an analogous mechanism exists for the appearance and propagation of high energy, mesoscale cyclonic eddies in certain oceanic flows and for low frequency, high intensity fluctuations in MHD turbulent flows with continuous forcing within a small band of wavenumbers. The former is characterized by geostrophic flow where the forces of buoyancy stratification can attenuate the vertical turbulence and horizontal pressure gradient is balanced by Coriolis forces; the latter by electromotive forces suppressing the dynamic gradients in the fields own direction and the ensuing two-dimensional turbulent dynamics. Evidence for dynamic similarity between these two systems includes kinetic energy spectra, which may demonstrate an inverse cascade of energy; the enhanced eddy diffusivity of passive scalar fields across the plane of two dimensionality; and a negative eddy diffusivity of momentum.

• Research Organization: New York Univ., NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6099659
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
640201 -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANISOTROPY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CORIOLIS FORCE
DISASTERS
DYNAMICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
SCALAR FIELDS
SEAS
STORMS
STRATIFICATION
SURFACE WATERS
TURBULENT FLOW