The critical Reynolds number location along the chord (xcr) refers to the specific point or location along the chord length of an airfoil or wing where the flow transition from laminar to turbulent occurs. In other words, it marks the position along the airfoil’s surface where the Reynolds number reaches a critical value that triggers the transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow. The transition from laminar to turbulent flow is an important phenomenon in fluid dynamics and aerodynamics. Laminar flow is characterized by smooth and orderly movement of fluid layers, while turbulent flow involves chaotic mixing and irregular motion of fluid particles. The critical Reynolds number is the value at which the flow transition occurs, and its location along the chord is denoted as xcr.
- xcr: Critical Reynolds number location along the chord
- μ∞: Dynamic viscosity of the freestream flow
- Rexcr: Critical Reynolds number
- ρ∞: Density of the freestream flow
- V∞: Freestream velocity