Direct measurements of the energy transfer spectrum in locally isotropic grid turbulence have been used to determine the extent of validity for grid turbulence of the dynamical equation for the three-dimensional energy spectrum in isotropic turbulence. The extent of applicability of the isotropic energy balance is consistent with the usual local isotropy criterion based on energy spectra alone.

The present results are in general agreement with some previous measurements by Uberoi, who determined the transfer spectrum assuming the strict validity of the isotropic dynamical equation. The measured energy transfer spectra are quantitatively similar to those calculated by Kraichnan using the direct-interaction approximation.