Fluid Momentum

PFFCHA2

Mr G Pahla
 Defining Fluid Momentum

The quantity of motion of a moving body, measured

as a product of its mass and velocity

Fluids exert forces e.g the lift force on an aircraft is exerted by

the air moving over the wing
F = ma

Newton’s 2nd Law can be written: The Rate of change of

momentum of a body is equal to the resultant force acting on the
body, and takes place in the direction of the force

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 Change in Momentum

To determine the rate of change of momentum for a fluid

we will consider a streamtube

Assume that we have steady

flow

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In time δt a volume of the fluid moves from the inlet a
distance uδt
Volume entering the stream tube = area × distance
= A1u1δt

Mass entering stream tube = volume x density = ρ1A1u1δt

Momentum of fluid entering stream tube = mass × velocity

= ρ1A1u1δtu1

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 Momentum changes

Momentum of fluid leaving stream tube = ρ2A2u2δtu2

We can now calculate the force exerted by the fluid using

Newton’s 2nd Law

Force = rate of change of momentum

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We know from continuity that

And if we have a fluid of constant density

This force is acting in the direction of the flow of the fluid.

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This analysis assumed that the inlet and outlet velocities were in the
same direction - i.e. a one dimensional system
What happens when this is not the case??

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At the inlet the velocity vector,
u1 , makes an angle θ1with the x-
axis
While at the outlet u2 make an
angle θ2

So we have to resolve in the x

and y direction

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And in the y-direction;

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 We then find the resultant force by combining these
vectorially:

And the angle which this force acts

at is given by

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Remember that we are working with vectors so F is in the
direction of the velocity.

This force is made up of three components

FP = Force exerted on the fluid by fluid pressure outside the
control volume
FR = Force exerted on the fluid by any solid body touching
the control volume
FB = Force exerted on the fluid body (e.g. gravity)
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The force exerted by the fluid on the solid body touching the
control volume is opposite to FR . So the reaction force, R, is given
by

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 Applications :The force due the flow around a
Pipe bend

Consider a pipe bend with a constant cross section lying in the

horizontal plane and turning through an angle of θ .
Imagine water supply pipes

If the bend is not fixed it will move

and eventually break at the joints

We need to know how much force a

support (thrust block) must withstand.

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 x direction

y direction

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 Pressure force

Resultant force

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 The force on the bend is the same
magnitude but in the opposite
direction

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 Application:Impact of a Jet on a Plane

Consider a jet hitting a flat plate (a plane) at an

angle of 90°

We want to find the reaction force of the plate

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END