•Scale analysis, or
scaling, is a convenient technique for estimating the magnitudes of various terms in the
governing equations for a
particular type of motion.
•In scaling, typical
expected values of the following quantities are specified:
• (1) magnitudes of the field variables;
• (2) amplitudes of fluctuations in the
field variables;
• (3) the
characteristic length, depth, and time scales on which these
fluctuations occur.
•These typical values
are then used to compare the magnitudes
of various terms in the governing equations.