I didn't mean to start an argument, but laminar and turbulent have very specific meanings. Both laminar and turbulent flows will try to 'stick' to a curved surface if the pressure is lower in that region.Quote:
Originally posted by funstick
easy its called laminar flow. air will try to almost stick to a curved surface then the flwo path will always extend beyond that. by simply making a 1 inch tall lip across the hood you could recudedrag by a signifacant ammount. btw im talking about at the cowl area. this is why air dams are so effective at reducing drag even though it would apper that they would induce more. i still think picking up air form the cowl air would work the best as its already a high pressure flow area.
Whether or not a flow is turbulent or laminar is a function of fluid density, viscosity, flow speed, length, and surface roughness. So "turbulent airflow and laminar airflow can e created at all sort of vehicle speeds" is not true. Only the leading part of a long surface (like a car) will have a laminar flow. Once the length of the surface exceeds the critical value for the surface's roughness, the remainder of the flow will be turbulent.
Also, I'm not sure what you mean by "the windsheild induces a shear on the flow across the hood". If by that you mean it sends some of the air over the roof as well as deflecting some to each side then ok. Otherwise I have no idea what you mean.
Yes, I am majoring in mechanical engineering. What's so bad about 'thinking textbook'?