Dimensionless number describing the effect of viscosity in different flow scenarios.
Ratio between the largest and smallest eddies.
$
Re = \frac{\rho uL}{\mu}
$
If viscosity is large, $Re$ is small, and vice versa
For $Re >> 1$, can rewrite the [[Navier-Stokes equations]] as:
$
\frac{D\vec{u}}{Dt}=-\nabla p+\frac{1}{Re}\mu\nabla^2\vec{u}
$
For $Re << 1$:
$
Re\frac{D\vec{u}}{Dt}=-\nabla p+\mu\nabla^2\vec{u}
$
Flow with $Re<2000$ considered ***laminar***, while flow with $Re >2000$ considered ***turbulent***