Reynolds number — UPSC Physics Optional CSE 1997 Paper I

Distinguish between streamline and turbulent motion. Define Reynolds number. When a sphere of radius 1.2\text{ mm} moves in glycerine, the laminar flow observed if the velocity of sphere does not exceed 0.23\text{ ms}^{-1}. At that minimum velocity of sphere of radius 5.5\text{ cm} will the flow in water become turbulent? The viscosities of glycerine and water are 11.9\text{ P} and 0.011\text{ P} respectively. The density of glycerine is 1.2 \times 10^{-3}\text{ Kg/m}^3.