Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,

I know what separation is, and why the streamlines start to separate away from the body (because a high pressure system is made next to the body), but what I don't know is why the streamlines reverse and start going the other direction. I mean, doesn't wind flow into lower pressure areas? And why are the high pressure systems created in the first place?

Thanks!

Hi!
I'm not exactly sure what your project is, but hopefully this link will clear things up a bit. Good luck!
http://selair.selkirk.bc.ca/aerodynamic ... Page2.html

dynama_girl wrote:Hi,

I know what separation is, and why the streamlines start to separate away from the body (because a high pressure system is made next to the body), but what I don't know is why the streamlines reverse and start going the other direction. I mean, doesn't wind flow into lower pressure areas? And why are the high pressure systems created in the first place?

Thanks!

Hello, dynama_girl!

I am not an expert in this topic, but I did a bit of web research to become familiar with the issues. I found a web site that seems to answer the question that you pose:

http://www.maths.manchester.ac.uk/~ruban/blsep.html

The region nearest the wall of the object in the flow is called the "boundary region" and separation appears to take place due to kinetic energy disparity between the particles in the boundary layer and those in the rest of the flow.

I found quite a few research papers by searching for "separation streamlines reverse". This seems like a fascinating project!

Best wishes for success on your project.

Thanks! Both these sites really helped!