Processes of transport and sedimentary structures - The Behaviour of Fluids and Particles in Fluids - Laminar and turbulent flow

4 important questions on Processes of transport and sedimentary structures - The Behaviour of Fluids and Particles in Fluids - Laminar and turbulent flow

What is the difference between laminar and turbulent flow and what type of mixing occurs in which flow?


Laminar flows: all molecules within the fluid move parallel to
each other in the direction of transport: in a heterogeneous
fluid almost no mixing occurs during laminar
flow.
Turbulent flows: molecules in the fluid move in all directions but with a net movement in the transport direction: heterogeneous fluids are thoroughly mixed in turbulent flows.

What is the Reynolds number used for in the field of fluid dynamics?


Re (Reynolds nr) is a dimensionless quantity that indicates the
extent to which a flow is laminar or turbulent.
 

When is a flow turbulent and when is a flow laminar, using the Re nr?

Re is low: < 500   --> laminar flow
Re is high: >2000   --> turbulent flow
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Give the formula for the Reynolds number and name the 3 elements out of which it is composed

Re = v * l/V  

v = flow velocity
l = characteristic length
V = kinematic viscosity (high for eg ice, lava, debris flows)

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