UUM 509E SPRING 2017

Homework Problems III

Due March 27, 2017

1. Consider the random variables X = sinθ and Y = cosθ where θ is a random variable uniformly
distributed in the interval [0, 2π]. (a) Are X and Y are correlated? (b) are they independent?
Explain.

2. Consider the autocorrelation of velocity in time for statistically stationary turbulence. Show that
u(t) and ∂u/∂t are uncorrelated, whereas u(t) and ∂ 2 u/∂t2 are negatively correlated. (Note:
here the derivatives are evaluated at time t.)

3. Consider a one-dimensional spatial correlation function of the form ρ(r) = 12 (1 + cos πr 2

) for
|r| ≤ 2 and ρ(r) = 0 otherwise (i.e., when |r| > 2). Determine the integral scale and the Taylor
micro-scale. Is the ratio between these two scales realistic for turbulence?

4. The properties of the velocity difference between two points at a given distance r are an impor-
tant measure of the spatial structure of the turbulence. Consider the "longitudinal" difference,
in the form
∆ur = u1 (~x + ~r) − u1 (~x)
where ~r = (r, 0, 0) is a vector aligned with the given velocity coordinate component.

(a) For homogeneous turbulence, derive a relationship between the mean-square of ∆u, h(∆u)2 i
and a two-point spatial correlation function. How does the mean square behave in the limit
r → ∞.
(b) For r in the inertial range, use dimensional analysis to deduce the functional form of
h(∆u)2 i.