Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge / 2014 / Paper 2 / Section B / B8 / d

Dynamic viscosity measures resistance to a velocity gradient. In Newtonian simple shear, ${\tau }_{xy}=\eta \partial u_x/\partial y$; positive viscosity dissipates mechanical energy into heat. Kinematic viscosity is $\nu =\eta /\rho$. For an incompressible fluid of constant viscosity,Scaling velocity by $U$ and length by $L$ gives the Reynolds number $\mathrm{Re}=\rho UL/\eta =UL/\nu$, the ratio of inertial to viscous terms. At small Reynolds number, creeping-flow approximations neglect inertia; at large Reynolds number, inertia dominates much of the bulk but viscosity can remain crucial in boundary layers. A large Reynolds number permits instability and turbulence; it does not by itself specify a universal transition threshold. Geometry and disturbances also matter.