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A fluid flow where viscous (friction) forces are small in comparison to inertial forces is said to be inviscid. The assumption that viscous forces are negligible can be used to simplify the Navier-Stokes equations. Inviscid flow occurs in fluids with a large Reynolds number. Much of the time effects of viscosity are confined to narrow boundary regions, and shear stresses are negligible in the vast bulk of the fluid. Image File history File links Information_icon. ... The Navier-Stokes equations, named after Claude-Louis Navier and George Gabriel Stokes, are a set of equations that describe the motion of fluid substances such as liquids and gases. ... The Reynolds number is the ratio of inertial forces (vsρ) to viscous forces (μ/L) and is used for determining whether a flow will be laminar or turbulent. ...

An inviscid flow (also called frictionless flow) is non-viscous and incompressible.

See also

• Viscosity
• Fluid dynamics