Which of the following statements is true for laminar flow compared to turbulent flow?

Learn the essentials for your FE Mechanical exam. Study with our questions and explanations, designed to prepare you thoroughly for exam day.

In fluid dynamics, laminar flow is characterized by smooth, orderly layers of fluid that slide past one another with minimal mixing. This is in contrast to turbulent flow, where the fluid experiences chaotic, irregular motion and mixing. The key feature of laminar flow is that it maintains a relatively uniform velocity profile across any cross-section, allowing the fluid to flow in distinct layers.

This layer-wise motion results in reduced friction and energy losses when compared to turbulent flow, which creates more disturbances and friction due to the chaotic motion of the fluid. Because of these properties, laminar flow is typically observed at lower velocities and lower Reynolds numbers, which measures the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces in fluid flow.

The statement about laminar flow flowing in smooth layers accurately captures the essence of laminar flow's behavior and why it is considered a distinct regime of fluid movement.

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