Use the same stream function convention and denote differentiation with respect to the dimensionless variable by a prime. The proposed similarity solution gives
Its continuity equation holds identically. Substitution in the tangential Prandtl boundary-layer equation gives
Choose the constant scale . The Hiemenz flow equation and its boundary conditions are
The first two conditions impose the no-penetration boundary condition and no-slip boundary condition. The last matches the tangential outer velocity. One also has and . It is too strong to impose : the displacement thickness generally permits a constant offset, .
The normal Navier-Stokes equation makes the approximation in part (c) explicit. With this similarity solution, it gives
At the wall this differs from by . This is a concrete next-order counterexample to interpreting the printed normal pressure gradient equality exactly; the tangential Hiemenz flow equation remains valid at its stated order.
The Hiemenz flow profile changes on , so its boundary layer thickness is
A specified edge convention, such as , introduces an order-one numerical multiplier requiring the profile to be solved. Scaling alone does not determine that multiplier. The result has no separate dependence on , , or at fixed kinematic viscosity. At fixed dynamic viscosity, it is .
The viscous diffusion time across a thickness is ; the imposed strain has time scale . Their balance sets the thickness. Increasing kinematic viscosity spreads the layer, while increasing the imposed velocity gradient presses the layer toward the wall. The outward tangential velocity increases as , so the decreasing travel time per unit distance offsets the usual downstream broadening.
For a conventional estimate of transition to turbulence, form the local horizontal Reynolds number:
If transition is assumed to occur at an empirical value , then
A rough borrowed threshold of order – would give of order –. This is a heuristic estimate, not a universal stability prediction: the accelerating outer flow and favorable pressure gradient can delay transition, and disturbance amplitudes and wall roughness matter. Simply setting locates failure of the thin-layer approximation near the stagnation point, not onset of turbulence.