Relationship between Mach number and Reynolds number

AI Thread Summary
There is no direct correlation between Mach number and Reynolds number, despite both being related to fluid velocity. High-speed flows are not necessarily turbulent, as compressibility can stabilize boundary layers. When assessing fluid viscosity, dynamic viscosity is typically the focus, as it provides a clearer understanding than kinematic viscosity. While Reynolds number can be seen as proportional to Mach number under constant conditions, the presence of the speed of sound in the equation complicates this relationship. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the distinct roles of these two nondimensional numbers in fluid dynamics.
charlies1902
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Is there any correlation between Mach number and Reynolds number?
Both of these nondimensional numbers involve speed, but they don't seem all that related other than that.
For high speed flow, we have high Mach number. Is it incorrect to say that "generally" high speed flow is turbulent?
 
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There is no relationship other than both of them feature the velocity.

It is incorrect to say that generally high speed flows are turbulent. In fact, the effect of compressibility is stabilizing to a boundary layer.
 
Also, what if you have high speed flow of a very viscous fluid?
 
boneh3ad said:
There is no relationship other than both of them feature the velocity.

It is incorrect to say that generally high speed flows are turbulent. In fact, the effect of compressibility is stabilizing to a boundary layer.
When we classify how "viscous" a fluid is, do we typically look at the dynamic or kinematic viscosity?

Water is regarded as more viscous than air. It's dynamic viscosity is higher than air, but it's kinematic viscosity is smaller. So I guess we look at dynamic viscosity?
 
charlies1902 said:
When we classify how "viscous" a fluid is, do we typically look at the dynamic or kinematic viscosity?

Water is regarded as more viscous than air. It's dynamic viscosity is higher than air, but it's kinematic viscosity is smaller. So I guess we look at dynamic viscosity?
When we talk about how viscous a fluid is, we are taking about its dynamic viscosity.

Chet
 
Kinematic viscosity is really more of a mathematical tool than anything else.
 
Chestermiller said:
Also, what if you have high speed flow of a very viscous fluid?
I'd like to know this as well.

If we're talking about hypersonic flow, what does mean in regards to viscous effects?
 
charlies1902 said:
I'd like to know this as well.

If we're talking about hypersonic flow, what does mean in regards to viscous effects?
$$Re=\frac{\rho v D}{\mu}=\frac{\rho c D}{\mu}\frac{v}{c}=Ma\frac{\rho c D}{\mu}$$
 
Chestermiller said:
$$Re=\frac{\rho v D}{\mu}=\frac{\rho c D}{\mu}\frac{v}{c}=Ma\frac{\rho c D}{\mu}$$
Hmmm, but does this relation tells us much?
Can we directly say that that Reynolds number scales with Mach number?
I don't think so because there's that extra speed of sound term in the numerator.
 
  • #10
charlies1902 said:
Hmmm, but does this relation tells us much?
Can we directly say that that Reynolds number scales with Mach number?
I don't think so because there's that extra speed of sound term in the numerator.
Why don't you just run some calculations for some sample situations, and see what the Mach number and Reynolds number come out to be. Then you won't need to speculate.

Chet
 
  • #11
You can say that it is directly proportional to Mach number for a constant speed of sound. Of course this doesn't mean much as it is equivalent to saying that Reynolds number is directly proportional to velocity, which is true by definition.

What exactly is your question about "what does it mean in regards to viscous effects"? I'm not sure I follow what you are trying to ask so I'm not quite sure how to respond.
 
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