Critical velocity is the highest velocity a fluid can attain while still maintaining laminar (streamlined) flow.
Beyond this speed, the flow becomes turbulent. \[ \text{Reynolds number} \, (Re) = \frac{\rho v d}{\eta} \] where \( v \) is the velocity of the fluid. If \( Re \) exceeds a critical value (typically around 2000 for pipe flow), turbulence occurs.