Can someone explain what viscosity means in terms of turbulence and surface tension

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mrh125

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I have a lot of trouble understanding what a viscous medium and how it affects the speed of whatever is traveling through it. I know it has to do with reynold's number, apparently honey is more viscous than water (is it because movement through honey is harder because it is sticky and maybe denser?), and lower viscosity leads to turbulent flow (that really confuses me).

Can someone explain what viscosity means in terms of turbulence and surface tension and what exactly a viscous medium is? it'd really help

Also in terms of blood, blood flow is more turbulent (lower viscosity) in the arteries than the veins and capillaries ?
 
Just think of it as friction against movement in fluids.
In terms of turbulence, you can use this equation:

N = 2pvr/viscosity

If N < 2000, it is laminar flow
If N > 3000, it is turbulent flow
So, as you increase viscosity, it is less likely to be turbulent.

Arteries have higher velocity than veins + capillaries, so using the equation above, you can see that it is more likely to be turbulent than others.
 
Just think of it as friction against movement in fluids.
In terms of turbulence, you can use this equation:

N = 2pvr/viscosity

If N < 2000, it is laminar flow
If N > 3000, it is turbulent flow
So, as you increase viscosity, it is less likely to be turbulent.

Arteries have higher velocity than veins + capillaries, so using the equation above, you can see that it is more likely to be turbulent than others.

thanks, what does surface tension have to do with viscosity if anything?
 
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