Navier-stokes equation (fluid mechanics)

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The discussion centers on confusion regarding the Navier-Stokes equation for viscous fluid flow, particularly the term v(del squared)u, where v represents kinematic viscosity and u is the velocity field. Clarification is provided that (del squared)u can indeed apply to a vector field, as the differential operator can be used in this context. The conversation also touches on the convection acceleration term V.delV, which is a significant source of non-linearity in the equation. There is a distinction made that the original inquiry was about the viscous dissipation term rather than the convective term. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the complexities of fluid mechanics and the importance of understanding these terms in the Navier-Stokes equation.
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i'm revising for my exams, and i didn't go to many of my fluids lectures, now I'm well confused. in the navier-stokes equation for viscous fluid flow, there is a term:

v(del squared)u

where v is the kinematic viscosity and u is the velocity field of the fluid. at this point in my notes, the lecturer seems to start doing crazy things which don't make sense.

first of all, its (del squared)u, not (del squared)(dot)u. i thought (del squared)u only had any meaning if u is a scalar field, but its not, its a vector field. what does this mean?
 
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\nabla^{2} is a differential operator that perfectly well can be applied to a vector.
 
V.delV is convection accelaration term in NSE it is the major source for non-linearity of the equation

You can work it out by

(V.del)V or V.(del V) both methods are same
 
altruistic said:
V.delV is convection accelaration term in NSE it is the major source for non-linearity of the equation

You can work it out by

(V.del)V or V.(del V) both methods are same

I believe the OP was asking about the viscous dissipation term not the convective term.
 
I have recently been really interested in the derivation of Hamiltons Principle. On my research I found that with the term ##m \cdot \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dr}{dt} \cdot \delta r) = 0## (1) one may derivate ##\delta \int (T - V) dt = 0## (2). The derivation itself I understood quiet good, but what I don't understand is where the equation (1) came from, because in my research it was just given and not derived from anywhere. Does anybody know where (1) comes from or why from it the...

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