Fluid Mechanics - Engineering

Q1:

For an ideal fluid flow, Reynolds number is

A 2100

B 100

C 0

D

ANS:D - ∞

For an ideal fluid flow, the Reynolds number (ReReRe) is 0. Here’s why:

  • Ideal Fluid Flow: An ideal fluid is an imaginary fluid that is inviscid (zero viscosity) and incompressible (constant density). In such a fluid, there are no shear forces between layers of fluid, and thus, no viscosity effects are present.
  • Reynolds Number Definition: The Reynolds number (ReReRe) is defined as: Re=ρVLμRe = \frac{\rho V L}{\mu}Re=μρVL​ where:
    • ρ\rhoρ is the density of the fluid,
    • VVV is the characteristic velocity of the flow,
    • LLL is a characteristic length (such as the diameter of a pipe),
    • μ\muμ is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid.
  • Ideal Fluid Characteristics: In an ideal fluid where viscosity (μ\muμ) is zero, the Reynolds number becomes: Re=ρVL0=∞Re = \frac{\rho V L}{0} = \inftyRe=0ρVL​=∞ This indicates that in ideal fluid flow, the Reynolds number tends towards infinity because there is no viscous resistance to flow.
Therefore, for an ideal fluid flow, the Reynolds number is ∞\infty∞.