Looking at the microworld with the naked eye Can the slow motion of something very tiny be similar to a quicker motion of something considerably larger? Maciej Lisicki Maria Ekiel - Jeżewska
What does it mean 'similar'? Identical shape is not enough
L ρ, μ U Reynolds number Density and viscosity of the liquid Flow velocity Characteristic size
Flow similarity principle Two flows having the same Reynolds numbers have the same character. Low viscosity, little size, low velocities = High viscosity, big size, high velocity
Low viscosity + little objects Welcome to the microworld! Rhodobacter E. coli Howard Berg’s Laboratory BACTERIA IN WATER
High viscosity + large objects MACROWORLD MICROWORLD Re
Flows with similar Reynolds numbers are similar! Instead of looking at swimming microobjects, we can observe large bodies but in a Very Viscous Liquid!