Which outcome of a hypersonic vehicle's flight results from too high of a Reynolds number gradient in the boundary layer?

💡 Explanation

A high Reynolds number gradient promotes a laminar-turbulent transition because amplification of disturbances via the **Tollmien-Schlichting wave instability** becomes dominant; therefore, premature boundary layer transition to turbulence occurs, rather than sustained laminar flow providing lower drag, and preventing heating.

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