REYNOLDS NUMBER

1) Differentiate laminar, transitional and turbulent flows.

Laminar flow :

The type of flow in which the particles move in a straight line in the form of thin
parallel sheets is known as the Laminar flow. Laminar flow denotes a steady
condition where all stream lines follow parallel paths. Under this condition, the dye
will remain easily identifiable as a solid core.

Turbulent flow :

The type of flow in which the particles move in a zigzag pattern is known as the
turbulent flow. Turbulent flow denotes as unsteady condition where stream lines
interact causing shear plan collapse and mixing occurs. As the flow rate is increased,
the transition from laminar to turbulent flow is a gradual process

Transitional flow ;

When the flow changes from laminar to turbulent or vice versa a disturbance is
created, it is called as the transitional flow.
2) Based on the experiment, you need to explain the relationship between the
parameters and how its effect the flow type of the fluid system.

Laminar Flow: Laminar flow generally happens when dealing with small pipes and
low flow velocities. Laminar flow can be regarded as a series of liquid cylinders in the
pipe, where the innermost parts travel the fastest, and the cylinder touching the pipe is
not moving at all. From the experiment, the time measure was effect the flow rate (Q)
and velocity (V). As for the Reynolds Number (Re), the result should get lower than
2300 and this experiment was success as the result get lower from the theoretical
measurement.

Transitional Flow: Transitional flow is a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow, with
turbulence in the centre of the pipe, and laminar flow near the edges. Each of these
flows behaves in different manners in terms of their frictional energy loss while
flowing and have different equations that predict their behaviour. From the
experiment, the time measure was effect the flow rate (Q) and velocity (V). As for the
Reynolds Number (Re), the result should get lower than 2300 < Re < 4000. However,
on this experiment the 1st result and 2nd result did not achieve from the theoretical
results as get higher than it should be.

Turbulent Flow: In turbulent flow vortices, eddies and wakes make the flow
unpredictable. Turbulent flow happens in general at high flow rates and with larger
pipes. From the experiment, the time measure was effect the flow rate (Q) and
velocity (V). As for the Reynolds Number (Re), the result should get higher than 4000
and this experiment was success as the result get higher from the theoretical
measurement.
3) Select one application of Reynolds number and justify which type of flow is the
most important for this system.

Atmospheric air is considered to be a fluid. Hence, the Reynolds number can be

calculated for it. This makes it possible to apply it in wind tunnel testing to study the
aerodynamic properties of various surfaces. Aerodynamic forces depend in a complex
way on the viscosity of the gas. As an object moves through a gas, the gas molecules
stick to the surface. This creates a layer of air near the surface, called a boundary
layer, which, in effect, changes the shape of the object. The flow of gas reacts to the
edge of the boundary layer as if it was the physical surface of the object. To make
things more confusing, the boundary layer may separate from the body and create an
effective shape much different from the physical shape and to make it even more
confusing, the flow conditions in and near the boundary layer are often unsteady
(changing in time). The boundary layer is very important in determining the drag of
an object. To determine and predict these conditions, aerodynamicists rely on wind
tunnel testing and very sophisticated computer analysis.