What Is the Unfamiliar Symbol in the Reynolds Number Equation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Reynolds number equation, specifically focusing on the unfamiliar symbol in the denominator and its significance. Participants explore definitions, applications, and related calculations, including terminal velocity and drag coefficient.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about an unfamiliar symbol in the Reynolds number equation, seeking a definition.
  • Another participant identifies the symbol as viscosity, denoted by mu.
  • A different participant requests a chart for Reynolds Number and drag coefficient (Cd) for estimation purposes.
  • Several participants discuss a related problem involving terminal velocity, providing specific values and expressing uncertainty about arithmetic calculations.
  • One participant suggests a method of elimination to find the correct answer to the terminal velocity problem, without providing a definitive solution.
  • A later reply corrects the area calculation for a quarter, providing a specific formula and value for the area.
  • It is noted that the dynamic viscosity value for air at sea level is given, but the relevance to the original question remains unclear.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial question about the unfamiliar symbol, as some provide definitions while others seek further clarification. The discussion on terminal velocity calculations reveals multiple approaches and uncertainties, indicating that no single solution is agreed upon.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings of the Reynolds number equation and the specific context of the terminal velocity problem, as well as unresolved arithmetic steps in the calculations presented.

picklefeet
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I understand most of the equation.

[tex]Re=<u>\rho *D *V</u><br /> over a symbol I don't recognize<br /> <br /> I don't know what the symbol is the denominator, and I can't find its name so I don't know what it means. I just need one definition, thanks.[/tex]
 
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Physics news on Phys.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_number"
 
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Its the viscosity, mu.
 
I was given the above equation in order to find drag coefficient through estimation and Reynolds Number. Where would I find a Reynolds Number - Cd Chart?
 
I'm having a problem with another related problem. If I wanted to find terminal velocity, the Cd=1.17, the Ac=.4522 m^2 and the weight equalled 5.67 grams or.0556037055 Newtons and the air density is 1.184 with no turbulance, what do you get? I think the problem may be my arithmetic.
In the terminal velocity equation, I get .33347775 over .7914693. I know this isn't right. What am I doing wrong?
 
Interesting... Since you apparently know when you have the wrong answer, how about you just go through and eliminate every answer that you know is not right until you only have only one answer left over. That answer, by process of elimination, must be the right one.

This method of solution may be applied to all of your homework problems without fail.
 
picklefeet said:
I'm having a problem with another related problem. If I wanted to find terminal velocity, the Cd=1.17, the Ac=.4522 m^2 and the weight equalled 5.67 grams or.0556037055 Newtons and the air density is 1.184 with no turbulance, what do you get? I think the problem may be my arithmetic.
In the terminal velocity equation, I get .33347775 over .7914693. I know this isn't right. What am I doing wrong?
First off, if you are still talking about a quarter, the area you are using is way off. The measured diameter of a quarter is about 24 mm. Therefore the area is

[tex]A =\frac{1}{2}*\pi*(24 x 10^{-3} m)^2[/tex]

[tex]A = 4.52 x 10^{-4}[/tex] [tex]m^2[/tex] or [tex]A = .000452[/tex] [tex]m^2[/tex]

The variable that you are asking about, [tex]\mu[/tex] is the dynamic viscosity of the medium the object is moving in, i.e. air. In that example, the seal level value for [tex]\mu = 1.79 x 10^{-5}[/tex] [tex]\frac{N*s}{m^2}[/tex]

Reynolds Number is a unitless number, i.e. all units should cancel out when it is calculated.
 
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