VORTEX STREET Meaning and
Definition
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A vortex street is a phenomenon that occurs when a fluid, such as air or water, flows past an obstacle or over a surface and creates a series of alternating vortices. These vortices are formed due to the interaction between the fluid's flow and the obstacle's shape. The fluid flow becomes unstable, resulting in the shedding of vortices in a regular pattern downstream of the obstacle.
In a vortex street, the vortices form on either side of the obstacle, with one vortex rotating in a clockwise direction, while the other rotates counterclockwise. These vortices then combine and detach from the obstacle, resulting in a trail of swirling eddies that align themselves in a staggered pattern. This pattern creates a street-like appearance, hence the name vortex street.
Vortex streets can be observed in various natural and artificial settings. In nature, they are commonly seen in the atmosphere behind mountains, buildings, or large trees. They can also occur in bodies of water behind islands or other underwater obstructions. In engineering, vortex streets are carefully studied, particularly in the fields of fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, as they can affect the flow around structures, such as bridges or offshore platforms.
Understanding vortex streets is crucial in various applications, such as optimizing the design of structures, improving the efficiency of fluid systems, or predicting the behavior of weather patterns.
Etymology of VORTEX STREET
The word "vortex" originated from Latin vortēx, which means "whirlpool" or "eddy". It came into the English language in the mid-17th century. The word "street" has its roots in the Old English word stræt, which referred to a paved road. The combination of these two words, "vortex" and "street", is a scientific term used to describe a phenomenon observed in fluid dynamics, where a series of swirling vortices form behind an object in a fluid flow. The term "vortex street" was coined by the physicist Horace Lamb in 1892 when he observed this pattern while studying fluid dynamics.
