Boundary Divergence and Potential Formulation in Fluid Mechanics

In summary, you are having trouble reconciling the divergence on the boundary of the fluid with Euler's formulation of fluid mechanics, and realizing why the potential formulation is inappropriate for this problem (or how to apply it if it is).
  • #1
tankFan86
25
0
Does anyone have any ideas about this?
 

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  • #2
tankFan86 said:
Does anyone have any ideas about this?
Your going to have to be slightly more specific than that. What specifically are you having problems with?

P.S. Is this homework?
 
  • #3
Which part of the attached pdf (above) is not specific enough? Assume the tank is draining in a gravitational potential.
 
  • #4
1. There is no unbalanced flux.
At the upper surface, at every moment, the outward flux is negative. At the lower surface, the outward flux is positive, and these cancel each other out.

2. The free surface conditions will be
a) the dynamic boundary conditions of continuity of pressure (as long as surface tension is neglected.
b) The kinematic boundary conditions that the normal component of the fluid velocity there equals the surface velocity.
 
  • #5
tankFan86 said:
Which part of the attached pdf (above) is not specific enough? Assume the tank is draining in a gravitational potential.

Hoot isn't asking about the specifics of the problem, but rather the specifics of where YOU are having trouble with it. In other words, what have you attempted and where did you get stuck.

Since you didn't answer on whether this is a HW/Coursework problem or not, we are forced to assume that it is. Please post questions like this only in the HW/coursework forum from now on.

Zz.
 
  • #6
1. The idea of the divergence is a local concept. When we say a vector field is divergenceless, we mean that at every point, the divergence is zero. However, if you pick a point on either of the free surfaces the divergence of the velocity field will be non-zero at that point.

2. These are ideas that I have heard of but still do not understand. How do you write these conditions? Where would I read more about them?
 
  • #7
ZapperZ said:
Hoot isn't asking about the specifics of the problem, but rather the specifics of where YOU are having trouble with it. In other words, what have you attempted and where did you get stuck.

Since you didn't answer on whether this is a HW/Coursework problem or not, we are forced to assume that it is. Please post questions like this only in the HW/coursework forum from now on.

Zz.
I hope this is the correct forum. The homework help forum did not seem appropriate, as this is not part of a problem set or any particular class/assignment. I cannot find anything in the literature that addresses these issues.

I suppose the two greatest difficulties so far are reconciling the divergence on the boundary of the fluid with Euler's formulation of fluid mechanics, and realizing why the potential formulation is inappropriate for this problem (or how to apply it if it is).

Thank you for your input.
 

1. What is fluid mechanics?

Fluid mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the study of fluids (liquids and gases) and the forces that act on them.

2. What are some common problems in fluid mechanics?

Some common problems in fluid mechanics include fluid flow, turbulence, pressure, buoyancy, and viscosity.

3. What is Bernoulli's principle and how is it related to fluid mechanics?

Bernoulli's principle states that in a steady flow of an ideal fluid, the pressure decreases as the velocity of the fluid increases. This principle is important in understanding the behavior of fluids in motion, such as the lift of an airplane wing or the flow of water through a pipe.

4. What are the applications of fluid mechanics?

Fluid mechanics has many applications in engineering, including designing and analyzing pumps, turbines, pipes, and other fluid systems. It is also important in understanding weather patterns, ocean currents, and the behavior of blood flow in the human body.

5. How is fluid mechanics used in everyday life?

Fluid mechanics is used in many everyday activities, such as driving a car (fluid flow in the engine), taking a shower (water flow through pipes), and even drinking from a straw (suction and pressure). It also plays a role in activities like swimming, surfing, and sailing.

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