In this form the Reynolds number is observed to represent the ratio of inertial forces to
viscous forces. The Reynolds number is generally considered the most important
dimensionless parameter in the field of fluid mechanics. It is ubiquitous in all of the
transport processes. We will encounter it frequently throughout the remainder of this text.
If equation (11-3) can be solved, the results will provide the functional relationships
between applicable dimensionless parameters. If direct solution is not possible then one
must resort to numerical modeling or experimental determination of these functional
relationships.