Trouble with Galilean transform problem heat equation

In summary, the "fixed" equation does not have the property of Galilean invariance. However, if you add the convection term to the equation, it becomes invariant. The kinematic components (convection, rotation, strain rate) that set up temperature gradients in the cup and cause the coffee to reach a uniform temperature more quickly are rotation and strain rate.
  • #1
fahraynk
186
6

Homework Statement


1.
The common form of the heat-diffusion equation governing the temperature distribution
$$\rho C_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t}=k\nabla^2T$$

Is this equation valid in any inertial frame of reference? (i.e. does it have the property of Galilean invariance?) If not, can it be “fixed” so that it is invariant?
2.
After cold milk is added to a cup of hot coffee, it is traditionally stirred. One effect of this stirring is to
increase the temperature gradients in the mixture, thereby increasing heat diffusion and causing a uniform
temperature to be reached more quickly.
Assuming that the temperature diffuses according to the “fixed” equation you derive in Problem 1, where c p and k are constant, which of the kinematic components (convection, rotation, strain rate) set up by the stirring is responsible for increasing the magnitude of temperature gradients in the cup and thereby equilibrate the temperature faster?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


They did not give me a convection term in the equation, so it is throwing me off. They also did not give me the cylindrical version of the heat transfer equation... so using it for the cup coffee stir problem also is throwing me off.
t'=t
x'=x-vt
transforms the equation to :
$$\rho C_p(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t'}-V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}) = K\frac{\partial^2 T}{\partial x'^2}$$

So, I THINK For this to be invariant, V would have to be very small or dT/dx' would have to be 0.
What throws me off for part 2, it says if the temperature diffuses according to the "fixed" equation I derive in problem 1... When they say fix it ,they say make it invariant... So doesn't the V term have to dissapear?

But just using my common sense, if stirring the liquid is increasing temperature gradients... then that would mean the temperature gradients of adding milk... would have to be different at different radius of the cup (weirdly, instead of just a splash at the center). Rotating it would make it look like a higher temperature concentration per second, and thus look like an increased gradient. So I would say rotation is responsible.

But my problem is... I don't see how to connect problem 1 and problem 2. A cartesian coordinate system problem without a convection term, fixed to be invariant, used on a cup being stirred. Maybe I am confused about the usage of the term invariant... because even if it was cylindrical, there would be (I think) :
$$\theta'=\theta + (w_z x r)t$$
As a Galilean transform, but to make it invariant, wouldn't the w_z term have to disappear? So how can rotation be the factor increasing the gradient.
Where am I going wrong here? Its probably in my conception of the transform, but yeah please help
 
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  • #2
fahraynk said:
So doesn't the V term have to dissapear?
No. You need to add the convection term to the equation to make it invariant!

fahraynk said:
But just using my common sense, if stirring the liquid is increasing temperature gradients... then that would mean the temperature gradients of adding milk... would have to be different at different radius of the cup (weirdly, instead of just a splash at the center). Rotating it would make it look like a higher temperature concentration per second, and thus look like an increased gradient. So I would say rotation is responsible.
I am sorry, but this is impossible to parse... the point they are making is that the convection currents you induce when stirring mixes hot and cold fluid and you end up with a situation where the typical distance from hot to cold is shorter - thus a stronger gradient and more rapid equilibration.
 
  • #3
Hi, thank you for your help,
Orodruin said:
No. You need to add the convection term to the equation to make it invariant!
Maybe I was reading the problem wrong? I thought it wanted me to fix the transformed equation to make it invariant but it wants me to fix the original equation to make the transformed version invariant...?

Trying out what you said and adding convection to "fix" the original equation :
$$\rho C_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t}=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}+V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\\\\
x'=x-Vt\\\\
t'=t\\\\
\rho C_p [\frac{\partial T}{\partial t'} -V \frac{\partial T}{\partial x'} ]=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x'^2}+V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}\\\\
\rho C_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t'} =K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x'^2}+[1+\rho C_p]V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}
$$

But... this is still not invariant right? I don't think the following is valid but it's all I could come up with:
$$\rho C_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t}=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}+\alpha V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\\\\
\rho C_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t'} =K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x'^2}+[\alpha +\rho C_p]V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}\\\\
\rho C_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t'} =K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x'^2}+\alpha 'V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}
$$

Or am I just completely off for what I think Galilean invariance of an equation is? I am confused.
 
  • #4
The velocity is not invariant under the Galilean transform ...
 
  • #5
Still lost.
 
  • #6
You are mixing velocities. One velocity is the velocity ##\vec v## of the medium, the other is the velocity ##\vec u## of the Galilean transform. The velocity of the medium changes ##\vec v \to \vec v' = \vec v - \vec u## under the Galilean transform. You also have dimensional errors in your equations that you should fix.
 
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  • #7
Adding convection to "fix" the problem gives:
$$\rho C_p \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t}+V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\right)=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}$$This will transform properly.
 
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  • #8
Chestermiller said:
Adding convection to "fix" the problem gives:
$$\rho C_p \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t}+V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\right)=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}$$This will transform properly.

With the 2nd frame moving at velocity U, and a particle in that frame moving at a velocity V':
$$\rho C_p \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t}+V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\right)=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}\\\\
x'=x-Ut\\\\
V'=V-U\\\\
\rho C_p \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t'}-U\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}+(V'+U)\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}\right)=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}\\\\
\rho C_p \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t'}+V'\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}\right)=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}$$

Thanks both of you for your help. I was messing up with the velocity.
 
  • #9
fahraynk said:
With the 2nd frame moving at velocity U, and a particle in that frame moving at a velocity V':
$$\rho C_p \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t}+V\frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\right)=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}\\\\
x'=x-Ut\\\\
V'=V-U\\\\
\rho C_p \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t'}-U\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}+(V'+U)\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}\right)=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}\\\\
\rho C_p \left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t'}+V'\frac{\partial T}{\partial x'}\right)=K\frac{\partial^2T}{\partial x^2}$$

Thanks both of you for your help. I was messing up with the velocity.
Nice job.
 
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1. What is the Galilean transform problem in relation to the heat equation?

The Galilean transform problem arises when trying to apply the heat equation in a reference frame that is moving with a constant velocity. This results in a discrepancy between the predicted temperature distribution and the actual temperature distribution.

2. How does the Galilean transform affect the heat equation?

The Galilean transform introduces an additional term to the heat equation, which accounts for the velocity of the reference frame. This term alters the solution of the heat equation, leading to a different temperature distribution compared to the stationary reference frame.

3. What is the significance of the Galilean transform problem in physics?

The Galilean transform problem is significant in physics because it highlights the limitations of the Galilean relativity principle. It also plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of physical systems in different reference frames and is important in the development of the theory of special relativity.

4. How is the Galilean transform problem solved in practice?

In practice, the Galilean transform problem can be solved by using the Lorentz transformation, which is a mathematical transformation that takes into account the effects of velocity on physical systems. This allows for accurate predictions of temperature distributions in moving reference frames.

5. Are there any real-world applications of the Galilean transform problem?

Yes, the Galilean transform problem has real-world applications in fields like thermodynamics and fluid dynamics. It is also relevant in engineering applications, such as designing heat exchangers for moving systems. In addition, the concept of the Galilean transform problem is integral to understanding the behavior of particles in particle accelerators.

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