Fluid dynamics

The study of fluids in motion is fluid dynamics. In general study of fluids in motion is complex.
So we shall restrict to few basic concepts.
Ideal fluid: An ideal fluid is one which is incompressible, non-viscous & has steady flow.

Steady flow: A fluid is said to be in steady flow if velocity of fluid at any arbitrary points within
the fluid does not change with time.
Streamline flow: If the every particle in the liquid follow the same path as the preceding particle,
the flow is said to be streamline or regular flow. The properties of streamline flow are
a) The velocity of the particle in a liquid is tangential to the streamline always.
b) The velocity of a liquid at any point is constant. It differs from point to point.
c) Two streamlines will never intersect.
d) The streamline may be of any shape.
In streamline flow the amount of liquid entering the tube is parallel to the
direction of flow & is equal to the liquid outgoing.
Critical velocity: The maximum velocity of a liquid necessary to maintain the streamline flow is
critical velocity.
Turbulent flow: If the particle does not follow the path followed by the preceding particle is
known as turbulent flow.
Turbulent flow is set up in a liquid if the critical velocity is overcome
i.e the flow of velocity will be more than the critical velocity.

Equation of continuity:

Consider a tube in which a liquid is in streamline flow.

At point P1 let O1 be the surface area with velocity V1 and Q
be another point with area a 2 , velocity V2 . Then the product of
area of cross section and velocity of a liquid at any point
remains constant.

V2
V1

a2

a1

1
a2
V1 a1 Constant V2a 2 Constant
V1 a1 V2 a 2

i.e V1

1
,
a1

V2

In general aV = Constant

Energy of a flowing fluid:

1) Pressure energy: Let P be the pressure on an area `A` of a liquid. Let the liquid move a
distance `l` due to this pressure.
Pressure energy = workdone
= F displacement
= Pressure Area l
= P A l
Volume of liquid = Area distance
=A l
Pressure energy/unit volume

PAL
P
Al

M.N.Sharath kumar

2)

Kinetic energy: If a liquid of mass `m` & volume `V` moving with velocity v, K.E is
1 2
mv .
2
1 mv2 1 2
K.E/unit volume
v
2 V
2

3) Potential energy: If a liquid of mass m, volume V is at height `h` from the surface, P.E=
mgh
P.E/unit volume

mgh
gh
v

Bernoullis theorem: It deals with the variation of pressure in a streamline flow.

Along a streamline of a non-viscous, incompressible fluid in a steady state flow, the
sum of pressure energy, kinetic energy & potential energy remains constant.
i.e P

1 2
V gh Constant
2

Pressure head, velocity head & gravitational head of a flowing liquid

We know from Berrnoullis theorem

1 2
P V gh Constant
2

Divide by g
2

P V

h Constant
g 2g
P
Here
is pressure head.
g
2

V
is velocity head.
2g
h is gravitational head.
Sum of all these is known as total head.
Bernoulli Daniel
Application of Bernoullis principle:
Uplift of an aircraft: The shape of wing is such that the curvature of upper surface is more than
that of lower surface. Due to this the velocity of upper layer of air on its upper side is more than
that of lower side. So pressure below the wing is more which helps in lifting the aircraft.
Sprayer: A tube is dipped in the fluid & air is blown in a nozzle to the tube. Due to reduction in
pressure over the nozzle, liquid breaks itself into fine droplets. These are carried by the air blast
forming spray.

M.N.Sharath kumar