Osborn Reynolds

The Reynolds number, named after Osborne Reynolds, is a dimensionless quantity used in fluid mechanics to predict flow behavior in a pipe or over a surface. It compares the inertial forces (which encourage turbulence) to viscous forces (which resist flow). A low Reynolds number indicates smooth, laminar flow, while a high number suggests turbulent, chaotic flow. Engineers use it to determine whether fluid movement will be steady or chaotic, helping in designs like pipelines, aircraft, and submarines. It essentially provides a measure to understand and predict how fluids will behave under different conditions.