Owing to viscosity, the layer of fluid in immediate contact with the surface
tends to adhere to it, i.e. its relative velocity vanishes, and the body is surrounded
by a zone where there are strong velocity gradients. This zoneis usually referred
to as the “boundary layer” (Fig. 21.3) and all viscous effects are concentrated in
it. The viscosity of the fluid outside the boundary layer is usually neglected and
the Bernoulli equation can be used in this region.