The Navier–Stokes Equations

When different layers of a fluid move at different velocities, there is some friction which results in loss of energy and momentum to molecular degrees of freedom. This dissipation is measured by a property of the fluid called viscosity. The Navier–Stokes (NS) equations are the modification of Euler’s equations that include this effect. In the incompressible limit, the NS equations have a residual scale invariance. The flow depends only on a dimensionless ratio (the Reynolds number). In the limit of small Reynolds number, the NS equations become linear, equivalent to the diffusion equation. Ideal flow is the limit of infinite Reynolds number. In general, the larger the Reynolds number, the more nonlinear (complicated, turbulent) the flow.