- Internal flow is completely bounded by surfaces on all sides, such as pipe flows. External flow is over bodies immersed in a fluid that is unbounded, like flow over airfoils.
- Major losses in pipes are due to friction or viscous effects and are quantified using Darcy's friction factor. Minor losses are due to fittings.
- Laminar flow is smooth and orderly while turbulent flow is chaotic with eddies. The transition between them depends on the Reynolds number.
- In developing pipe flow, the boundary layer grows along the pipe until it fills the cross-section and the flow is fully developed.