| Term: | laminar boundary layer |
| Definition: |
An interfacial region in which flow is smooth and nonturbulent. Above a surface, a laminar layer will develop and fluid velocity will increase with distance from the surface, but not indefinitely. At some point, flow will become turbulent, with the laminar sublayer separating the turbulent layer from the surface. In the real world, most laminar boundary layers are extremely thin (order of 1 mm), but can be of biological importance, for example, next to plant leaves or as invertebrate refuges in streams. |