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Nature 403, 377-378 (27 January 2000) | doi:10.1038/35000330

Fluid mechanics: Jets from a singular surface

Michael P. Brenner

All theories of continuous systems begin with the assumption that there is a separation of scales between the macroscopic variables needed by the theory and the microscopic motions that are ignored. So, the bulk motion of fluid in a teacup stirred by a spoon occurs on a scale that is orders of magnitude larger than the distance between the molecules.