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The Onset of Turbulence Quiz

12 questions physics Grades 9-12

The question sheet

Reveal any answer as you study
  1. For flow in a tube of uniform diameter, the Reynolds number is defined using which set of quantities?

    • Mass, volume, temperature, pressure
    • Density, speed, viscosity, tube radius
    • Force, area, time, length
    • Weight, height, gravity, density
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Density, speed, viscosity, tube radius

    Source evidence

    PDF page 560: where is the fluid density, its speed, its viscosity, and the tube radius. The Reynolds number is a unitless quantity. Experiments have revealed that is related to the onset of turbulence. For below about 2000, flow is laminar. For above about 3000, flow is turbulent. For values of between about 2000 and 3000, flow is unstable—that is, it can be laminar, but small obstructions and surface roughness can make it turbulent, and it may oscillate randomly between being laminar and turbulent. The blood flow through most of the body is a quiet, laminar flow. The exception is in the aorta, where the speed of the blood flow rises above a critical value of 35 m/s and becomes turbulent.

  2. The Reynolds number is described as a:

    • Force measurement
    • Vector quantity
    • Speed measurement
    • Unitless quantity
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Unitless quantity

    Source evidence

    PDF page 560: where is the fluid density, its speed, its viscosity, and the tube radius. The Reynolds number is a unitless quantity. Experiments have revealed that is related to the onset of turbulence. For below about 2000, flow is laminar. For above about 3000, flow is turbulent. For values of between about 2000 and 3000, flow is unstable—that is, it can be laminar, but small obstructions and surface roughness can make it turbulent, and it may oscillate randomly between being laminar and turbulent. The blood flow through most of the body is a quiet, laminar flow. The exception is in the aorta, where the speed of the blood flow rises above a critical value of 35 m/s and becomes turbulent.

  3. For a Reynolds number below about 2000, flow is:

    • Chaotic
    • Unstable
    • Turbulent
    • Laminar
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Laminar

    Source evidence

    PDF page 560: where is the fluid density, its speed, its viscosity, and the tube radius. The Reynolds number is a unitless quantity. Experiments have revealed that is related to the onset of turbulence. For below about 2000, flow is laminar. For above about 3000, flow is turbulent. For values of between about 2000 and 3000, flow is unstable—that is, it can be laminar, but small obstructions and surface roughness can make it turbulent, and it may oscillate randomly between being laminar and turbulent. The blood flow through most of the body is a quiet, laminar flow. The exception is in the aorta, where the speed of the blood flow rises above a critical value of 35 m/s and becomes turbulent.

  4. For a Reynolds number above about 3000, flow is:

    • Unstable
    • Turbulent
    • Stable
    • Laminar
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Turbulent

    Source evidence

    PDF page 560: where is the fluid density, its speed, its viscosity, and the tube radius. The Reynolds number is a unitless quantity. Experiments have revealed that is related to the onset of turbulence. For below about 2000, flow is laminar. For above about 3000, flow is turbulent. For values of between about 2000 and 3000, flow is unstable—that is, it can be laminar, but small obstructions and surface roughness can make it turbulent, and it may oscillate randomly between being laminar and turbulent. The blood flow through most of the body is a quiet, laminar flow. The exception is in the aorta, where the speed of the blood flow rises above a critical value of 35 m/s and becomes turbulent.

  5. For Reynolds numbers between about 2000 and 3000, flow is:

    • Unstable
    • Always turbulent
    • Always laminar
    • Nonexistent
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Unstable

    Source evidence

    PDF page 560: where is the fluid density, its speed, its viscosity, and the tube radius. The Reynolds number is a unitless quantity. Experiments have revealed that is related to the onset of turbulence. For below about 2000, flow is laminar. For above about 3000, flow is turbulent. For values of between about 2000 and 3000, flow is unstable—that is, it can be laminar, but small obstructions and surface roughness can make it turbulent, and it may oscillate randomly between being laminar and turbulent. The blood flow through most of the body is a quiet, laminar flow. The exception is in the aorta, where the speed of the blood flow rises above a critical value of 35 m/s and becomes turbulent.

  6. Flow in a very smooth tube at low velocity will be:

    • Turbulent
    • Unstable
    • Laminar
    • Chaotic
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Laminar

    Source evidence

    PDF page 559: Sometimes we can predict if flow will be laminar or turbulent. We know that flow in a very smooth tube or around a smooth, streamlined object will be laminar at low velocity. We also know that at high velocity, even flow in a smooth tube or around a smooth object will experience turbulence. In between, it is more difficult to predict. In fact, at intermediate velocities, flow may oscillate back and forth indefinitely between laminar and turbulent. An occlusion, or narrowing, of an artery, such as shown in Figure 12.17, is likely to cause turbulence because of the irregularity of the blockage, as well as the complexity of blood as a fluid. Turbulence in the circulatory system is noisy and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope, such as when measuring diastolic pressure in the upper arm’s partially collapsed brachial artery. These turbulent sounds, at the onset of blood flow when the cuff pressure becomes sufficiently small, are called Korotkoff sounds. Aneurysms, or ballooning of arteries, create significant turbulence and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope. Heart murmurs, consistent with their name, are sounds produced by turbulent flow around damaged and insufficiently closed heart valves. Ultrasound can also be

  7. At high velocity, flow in a smooth tube will experience:

    • Turbulence
    • Reduced viscosity
    • No flow
    • Laminar flow
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Turbulence

    Source evidence

    PDF page 559: Sometimes we can predict if flow will be laminar or turbulent. We know that flow in a very smooth tube or around a smooth, streamlined object will be laminar at low velocity. We also know that at high velocity, even flow in a smooth tube or around a smooth object will experience turbulence. In between, it is more difficult to predict. In fact, at intermediate velocities, flow may oscillate back and forth indefinitely between laminar and turbulent. An occlusion, or narrowing, of an artery, such as shown in Figure 12.17, is likely to cause turbulence because of the irregularity of the blockage, as well as the complexity of blood as a fluid. Turbulence in the circulatory system is noisy and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope, such as when measuring diastolic pressure in the upper arm’s partially collapsed brachial artery. These turbulent sounds, at the onset of blood flow when the cuff pressure becomes sufficiently small, are called Korotkoff sounds. Aneurysms, or ballooning of arteries, create significant turbulence and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope. Heart murmurs, consistent with their name, are sounds produced by turbulent flow around damaged and insufficiently closed heart valves. Ultrasound can also be

  8. What is likely to cause turbulence in an artery?

    • An occlusion or narrowing
    • Low blood viscosity
    • Slow blood flow
    • Smooth walls
    Reveal answer

    Answer: An occlusion or narrowing

    Source evidence

    PDF page 559: Sometimes we can predict if flow will be laminar or turbulent. We know that flow in a very smooth tube or around a smooth, streamlined object will be laminar at low velocity. We also know that at high velocity, even flow in a smooth tube or around a smooth object will experience turbulence. In between, it is more difficult to predict. In fact, at intermediate velocities, flow may oscillate back and forth indefinitely between laminar and turbulent. An occlusion, or narrowing, of an artery, such as shown in Figure 12.17, is likely to cause turbulence because of the irregularity of the blockage, as well as the complexity of blood as a fluid. Turbulence in the circulatory system is noisy and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope, such as when measuring diastolic pressure in the upper arm’s partially collapsed brachial artery. These turbulent sounds, at the onset of blood flow when the cuff pressure becomes sufficiently small, are called Korotkoff sounds. Aneurysms, or ballooning of arteries, create significant turbulence and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope. Heart murmurs, consistent with their name, are sounds produced by turbulent flow around damaged and insufficiently closed heart valves. Ultrasound can also be

  9. Turbulent sounds at the onset of blood flow when cuff pressure is small are called:

    • Doppler sounds
    • Aneurysm sounds
    • Korotkoff sounds
    • Heart murmurs
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Korotkoff sounds

    Source evidence

    PDF page 559: Sometimes we can predict if flow will be laminar or turbulent. We know that flow in a very smooth tube or around a smooth, streamlined object will be laminar at low velocity. We also know that at high velocity, even flow in a smooth tube or around a smooth object will experience turbulence. In between, it is more difficult to predict. In fact, at intermediate velocities, flow may oscillate back and forth indefinitely between laminar and turbulent. An occlusion, or narrowing, of an artery, such as shown in Figure 12.17, is likely to cause turbulence because of the irregularity of the blockage, as well as the complexity of blood as a fluid. Turbulence in the circulatory system is noisy and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope, such as when measuring diastolic pressure in the upper arm’s partially collapsed brachial artery. These turbulent sounds, at the onset of blood flow when the cuff pressure becomes sufficiently small, are called Korotkoff sounds. Aneurysms, or ballooning of arteries, create significant turbulence and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope. Heart murmurs, consistent with their name, are sounds produced by turbulent flow around damaged and insufficiently closed heart valves. Ultrasound can also be

  10. Heart murmurs are sounds produced by turbulent flow around:

    • Healthy capillaries
    • Damaged heart valves
    • The trachea
    • Smooth arteries
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Damaged heart valves

    Source evidence

    PDF page 559: Sometimes we can predict if flow will be laminar or turbulent. We know that flow in a very smooth tube or around a smooth, streamlined object will be laminar at low velocity. We also know that at high velocity, even flow in a smooth tube or around a smooth object will experience turbulence. In between, it is more difficult to predict. In fact, at intermediate velocities, flow may oscillate back and forth indefinitely between laminar and turbulent. An occlusion, or narrowing, of an artery, such as shown in Figure 12.17, is likely to cause turbulence because of the irregularity of the blockage, as well as the complexity of blood as a fluid. Turbulence in the circulatory system is noisy and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope, such as when measuring diastolic pressure in the upper arm’s partially collapsed brachial artery. These turbulent sounds, at the onset of blood flow when the cuff pressure becomes sufficiently small, are called Korotkoff sounds. Aneurysms, or ballooning of arteries, create significant turbulence and can sometimes be detected with a stethoscope. Heart murmurs, consistent with their name, are sounds produced by turbulent flow around damaged and insufficiently closed heart valves. Ultrasound can also be

  11. Blood flow through most of the body is described as:

    • Turbulent and noisy
    • Quiet, laminar flow
    • Chaotic
    • Highly unstable
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Quiet, laminar flow

    Source evidence

    PDF page 560: where is the fluid density, its speed, its viscosity, and the tube radius. The Reynolds number is a unitless quantity. Experiments have revealed that is related to the onset of turbulence. For below about 2000, flow is laminar. For above about 3000, flow is turbulent. For values of between about 2000 and 3000, flow is unstable—that is, it can be laminar, but small obstructions and surface roughness can make it turbulent, and it may oscillate randomly between being laminar and turbulent. The blood flow through most of the body is a quiet, laminar flow. The exception is in the aorta, where the speed of the blood flow rises above a critical value of 35 m/s and becomes turbulent.

  12. Blood flow becomes turbulent in the aorta when its speed rises above:

    • 3000 m/s
    • 35 m/s
    • 1 m/s
    • 2000 m/s
    Reveal answer

    Answer: 35 m/s

    Source evidence

    PDF page 560: where is the fluid density, its speed, its viscosity, and the tube radius. The Reynolds number is a unitless quantity. Experiments have revealed that is related to the onset of turbulence. For below about 2000, flow is laminar. For above about 3000, flow is turbulent. For values of between about 2000 and 3000, flow is unstable—that is, it can be laminar, but small obstructions and surface roughness can make it turbulent, and it may oscillate randomly between being laminar and turbulent. The blood flow through most of the body is a quiet, laminar flow. The exception is in the aorta, where the speed of the blood flow rises above a critical value of 35 m/s and becomes turbulent.

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