• id: JME-09-N05
• title: Types of Fluid Flow
• tags: streamline, turbulent, reynolds

In steady (streamline/laminar) flow, every fluid particle passing a point follows the same path with the same velocity. Streamlines never cross. In turbulent flow, particles move irregularly with fluctuating velocities. The transition is characterized by the Reynolds number: $Re = \rho v D / \eta$. For pipe flow: $Re < 2000$ (laminar), $Re > 4000$ (turbulent), $2000-4000$ (transition). Bernoulli's equation is strictly valid only for streamline flow of ideal fluids. Real turbulent flows require empirical correlations and are beyond JEE scope.