Continuity equation

The laws of aerodynamics are formulated by applying several basic principles from physics to a flowing
gas. For example,

Physical principle: Mass can be neither created nor destroyed

dm= ρ 1(A1V1dt)……………..(7)

dm
=m1 =ρ1 A1 V 1
dt

ρ 1A1V1= ρ2A2V2 ……(8)

This is the continuity equation for steady flow.

Momentum equation
From Newton’s second law, F = ma

Forces acting on infinitesimally small element are

1. Pressure acting in a normal direction on all six faces of the element.

2. Frictional shear acting tangentially on all six faces of the element.

3. Gravity acting on the mass inside the element.

dp
F=pdydz − p+ ( dx )
dx dydz

dp
F=− (dxdydz )
dx
− − −
d V d V dx d V −
a= = = V
dt dx dt dx

dp= -ρ V Dv….(9)

Equation (9) is Euler's equation. Basically, it relates rate of change of momentum to force; hence it can
also be designated as the momentum equation.
First consider the case of incompressible flow. Let points 1 and 2 be located along a given streamline,
such as that shown over an airfoil as shown, from equation (9)

dp+ ρ V dV = 0

where ρ= constant. Integrating between points 1 and 2, we obtain

−
2
V
p+ ρ =const along streamline…….(10)
2

Eq. (10) is called Bernoulli’s equation