blood flow

[shawngill]

Blood flows in an aorta of radius 10 mm at a speed of 0.30 m/s.
What is the Reynolds number for the flow? Comment on the value obtained. (The viscosity of blood is 3.7 mPa s at 37�C, and blood density is 1060 kg/m3.)

[newtron]

The Reynolds number is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces. I'm sure you have the equaiton to calculate it (if not it is easy to look it up). You have all the information you need. Again, you will have to first convert all your values to the necessary units, and then just plug the values into the equation. Remember it is a dimensionless number, so all your units should cancel out. Once you have calculated the Reynolds number, you could say something about the flow of blood in the aorta. The higher the number, the more turbulent the flow. There is an arbitrary cut off that divides laminar flow and turbulent flow. I forget what it is for pipes.