In fluid mechanics, the Reynolds number is a measure of the ratio of inertial forces () to viscous forces () and consequently it quantifies the relative importance of these two types of effect for given flow conditions. Under low Reynolds numbers viscous effects dominate and the flow is laminar, whereas at high Reynolds numbers inertia predominates and the flow may be turbulent. However, since rheology is concerned with fluids which do not have a fixed viscosity, but one which can vary with flow and time, calculation of the Reynolds number can be complicated.
In fluid mechanics the Reynolds number is a measure of the ratio of inertial forces () to viscous forces () and consequently it quantifies the relative importance of these two types of effect for given flow conditions Under low Reynolds numbers viscous effects dominate and the flow is laminar whereas at high Reynolds numbers inertia predominates and the flow may be turbulent However since rheology is concerned with fluids which do not have a fixed viscosity but one which can vary with flow and time calculation of the Reynolds number can be complicated