Kinetic Energy vs Flow Work: Exploring the Difference

In summary, kinetic energy and flow work are two distinct concepts in physics. Kinetic energy refers to the energy a moving object possesses due to its motion, while flow work is the energy required to move a fluid through a system. Kinetic energy is a scalar quantity, while flow work is a vector quantity. Additionally, kinetic energy is dependent on an object's mass and velocity, while flow work is dependent on the pressure and volume of the fluid being moved. Both concepts are important in understanding the transfer and conservation of energy in various systems.
  • #1
Mohankpvk
102
3
As per work energy principle, the energy spent in moving an object is stored as kinetic energy.Flow work is done to make the fluid move.Why is it not included in kinetic energy (i.e) why kinetic energy and flow work are considered seperately?
 
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  • #2
Mohankpvk said:
Why is it not included in kinetic energy (i.e) why kinetic energy and flow work are considered seperately?

the flow of liquids are a bit complicated due to internal energy changes , may be temperature change, viscous forces as well as the

molecular motions, i think a detail energy analysis is required. and one can not simply equate the work done to the K.E. of the flow.

The forces that act on the surface of a control volume do work on the fluid in the control volume and therefore contribute to the energy

balance. The power (energy per second) put into the fluid within the control volume is given by the classical relation from mechanics P ower input to the control volume = F - U

there is an interesting analysis in the following reference-

<https://web.stanford.edu/~cantwell/AA210A_Course_Material/AA210A_Course_Notes/AA210_Fundamentals_of_Compressible_Flow_Ch_01_BJ_Cantwell.pdf>
 

What is the difference between kinetic energy and flow work?

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, while flow work is the energy required to move a fluid through a system. In other words, kinetic energy is the energy of movement, while flow work is the energy required to create movement.

How is kinetic energy calculated?

Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 * m * v^2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity. This formula shows that kinetic energy is directly proportional to the mass and the square of the velocity of an object.

What is an example of kinetic energy?

An example of kinetic energy is a ball rolling down a hill. As the ball gains speed, its kinetic energy also increases. When the ball reaches the bottom of the hill, it has the most kinetic energy.

How is flow work related to kinetic energy?

Flow work and kinetic energy are related because both involve the movement of an object or fluid. However, flow work specifically refers to the energy required to move a fluid through a system, while kinetic energy is the energy of any moving object.

How does understanding the difference between kinetic energy and flow work impact scientific research?

Understanding the difference between kinetic energy and flow work is crucial in many scientific fields, such as engineering and fluid mechanics. It allows scientists to accurately calculate and predict the energy required for various processes, and to design systems that efficiently convert energy between kinetic and flow work.

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