A NOTE ON THE VARIATION OF THE UNIT REYNOLDS NUMBER ON A FLAT PLATE AS A FUNCTION OF THE ANGLE OF ATTACK.

The effect of the variation of local Reynolds number on certain flow characteristics is often of interest. For example, in order to determine the state, i.e., laminar or transitional, of a separated boundary layer on a flat plate-flap model, variation of the separation length with Reynolds number is required. The Reynolds number variation may be obtained by pitching the model. It is shown, from an inviscid standpoint, that the Reynolds number passes through a maximum, as a function of angle of attack, at an angle of attack larger than zero. Author