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UFeng
Nov11-09, 10:31 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Which fluid is more viscous at moderate to high Reynolds number if used in this situation? Air or Water? The flow is incompressible and has velocity V and size L.

2. Relevant equations

Re = inerial forces/viscous forces = rho*V*L / mu

as Re approaches infinity, viscosity approaches zero

3. The attempt at a solution

I know that if Re is high, inertial forces dominate. Therefore, viscous forces are small.

inertial forces / Re = viscous force => wouldn't water always be more viscous assuming the same Re, V, and L is used for both air and water?

I think there is more to this problem that I am missing. Thanks for any help.

stewartcs
Nov11-09, 10:54 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Which fluid is more viscous at moderate to high Reynolds number if used in this situation? Air or Water? The flow is incompressible and has velocity V and size L.

2. Relevant equations

Re = inerial forces/viscous forces = rho*V*L / mu

as Re approaches infinity, viscosity approaches zero

3. The attempt at a solution

I know that if Re is high, inertial forces dominate. Therefore, viscous forces are small.

inertial forces / Re = viscous force => wouldn't water always be more viscous assuming the same Re, V, and L is used for both air and water?

I think there is more to this problem that I am missing. Thanks for any help.

Sounds good to me. Plus the problem states that the flow is incompressible which intuitively would rule out air.

CS