Fresh boundary-layer effect

It is evident from Fig. 8.10 that the boundary layer on each element develops largely independently from those on the others. This has the advantage of ensuring a fresh thin boundary layer, and therefore small kinetic-energy defect, at the start of the adverse pressure gradient on each element. The length of pressure rise that the boundary layer on each element can withstand before separating is thereby maximized – c. f. Fig. 8.3.