Kolmogorov spectrum

The Kolmogorov spectrum (or Kolmogorov energy spectrum) is a spectrum of the amount of energy dissipation of eddies, by size of eddy, within a turbulent fluid. It is based on an idealized model of turbulence (that eddies occur in a specific ratio of sizes), but the model and spectrum are useful as an approximation. One form:

E(k,ψ) = Ck-5/3ψ2/3

• k - wavenumber: an indication of the size of the eddy.
• ψ - mean energy dissipation per unit volume of the fluid.
• C - a constant.
• E(k,ψ) - energy spectrum.

If ψ is presumed constant in a turbulent volume, E ∝ k^-5/3.