Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A streamline is an imaginary line drawn in a fluid flow field that represents the path followed by a particle moving with no turbulence or mixing. It helps visualize and analyze fluid flow patterns.
Related terms
Turbulence: Chaotic and irregular motion within a fluid flow that disrupts smooth streamlines.
Reynolds Number: A dimensionless quantity used to predict whether fluid flow will be laminar (smooth) or turbulent based on factors like velocity, viscosity, and length scale.
Vorticity: A measure of local rotation within a fluid flow field. High vorticity indicates swirling motion while low vorticity corresponds to smooth streamlines.