Reynolds number

The concept of Reynolds number is named after Osbourne Reynolds, who first studied the relationship
between flow velocity and flow behavior through visualization of flow movement using colored dye. A
dimensionless parameter was discovered that could easily predict fluid behavior in a wide range of flow
conditions. This dimensionless parameter, called Reynolds number, can predict the different flow
regimes based on various parameters such as fluid density, flow velocity, and dynamic viscosity.

Reynolds number is given by

Reynolds Number = Inertial Force / Viscous
Force

Numerically, Reynolds number (Re) can be defined as a ratio between inertial force and viscous force.

Reynolds number

The parameters can be noted as:

ρ: density of the fluid

V: fluid velocity

D: hydraulic diameter (of pipe, tube, or duct).

μ: fluid viscosity

Significance:

The significance of the Reynolds number can be demonstrated as follows :

 Laminar flow is a type of flow in which the fluid moves in straight lines.
 Turbulent flow, on the other hand, isn't smooth and follows an irregular pattern with a lot of
mixes.
 The flow through the pipe is said to be turbulent if the calculated Reynolds number is high
(more than 2000).
 The flow is said to be laminar if the Reynolds number is low (less than 2000).
 These are acceptable numerical values, while laminar and turbulent flows are often grouped
within a range.
 Laminar flow has a Reynolds number less than 1100, while turbulent flow has a number greater
than 2200.
  Reynolds number is used in scaling fluid dynamics problems.
 It is used to determine dynamic similarities between two different cases of fluid flow, such as
between a model aircraft and its full-size version.
 This ability of the Reynolds number to predict the onset of turbulent flow is an important design
tool for equipment such as piping systems or aircraft wings.
 As such scaling is not linear, scaling factors can be generated by applying Reynolds numbers to
both scenarios.

Applications:

The Reynolds number is used to study fluids as they flow. The Reynolds number determines
whether a fluid flow is steady or unsteady. (laminar and turbulent) If a flow is laminar, fluids
will move along smooth streamlines. If the flow is turbulent, these streamlines break up and the
fluid will move irregularly.
It is used when modelling the movement of organisms swimming through water. It is used to
predict the transition from laminar to turbulent flow and is used in the scaling of similar but
different-sized flow situations, such as between an aircraft model in a wind tunnel and the full-
size version.
Reynolds number, in fluid mechanics, is a criterion of whether the fluid (liquid or gas) flow is
steady (streamlined, or laminar) or on average steady with small unsteady fluctuations
(turbulent).
The transition between fluids from laminar to turbulent occurs very suddenly.
It is used when modeling the movement of organisms swimming through water. It is based on
various factors like velocity, pressure, heat and temperature.
The Reynolds number is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces. The Reynolds number (Re)
of a flowing fluid is computed by multiplying the fluid velocity by the pipe's internal diameter
(to obtain the inertia force of the fluid) and then by dividing the result by the kinematic viscosity
(viscous force per unit of  length).