Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2006 / iii / Paper 79 / 3 / i

Let $u^2$ denote one-component velocity variance, $F=u^{2}f$ the longitudinal velocity correlation, and $S_p=⟨(\Delta v{)}^p⟩$ the signed longitudinal structure functions. Homogeneity gives $F=u^2-S_2/2$, while the third-order convention here is $u^{3}K=S_3/6$. Thus the Kármán-Howarth equation becomesThe mean kinetic energy per unit mass is $3u^2/2$, so its decay gives ${\partial }_t{u}^2=-2ϵ/3$. In the universal equilibrium range, the small-scale variation ${\partial }_t{S}_2$ is negligible at leading order, hence ${\partial }_{t}F\simeq -2ϵ/3$. Integrating from zero and using regularity givesThe Kolmogorov equation for structure functions is thereforeFor finite local unsteadiness the right side has the additional term $-3r^{-4}{\int }_0^r{s}^4{\partial }_t{S}_2(s,t)ds$; dropping it is the local-equilibrium approximation used here.

In the inertial range the viscous term is also negligible, leaving the Kolmogorov four-fifths law, $S_3(r)=-4ϵr/5$. Its coefficient and sign follow from the exact energy balance and Kármán-Howarth equation, rather than from dimensional similarity. It supplies a firm third-order constraint on Kolmogorov 1941 theory and measures the forward energy cascade, while leaving the second- and higher-order exponents open to internal intermittency corrections.