Which of the following is a characteristic of turbulent flow?

Turbulent flow is characterized by chaotic and irregular movement of fluid particles. In this type of flow, the velocity and pressure of the fluid can vary drastically at different points within the flow field. This randomness leads to vortices and eddies, contributing to a complex flow pattern that is distinctly different from laminar flow, which is smooth and orderly.

In contrast to turbulent flow, laminar flow typically occurs at lower velocities, where the flow remains uniform and predictable. The other characteristics mentioned—smooth and regular flow, low velocities, and steady and predictable behavior—are commonly associated with laminar flow rather than turbulent flow.

Understanding that turbulent flow incorporates these chaotic behaviors is crucial for various applications in engineering, such as in the design of piping systems, aircraft aerodynamics, and environmental fluid dynamics, where predicting fluid behavior plays a significant role in system performance and efficiency.