Deriving a conservation law using the divergence theorem

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on deriving a conservation law for a newly identified fluid property called "radost," which is defined as the amount of radost per unit mass in a fluid. Participants reference the divergence theorem and the conservation of mass equation, specifically \(\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}+\nabla \cdot (\rho \vec{v})=0\), as a foundational concept. The challenge lies in converting radost from a per unit mass basis to a per unit volume basis, which is essential for applying the divergence theorem correctly. The discussion emphasizes the need to manipulate the definitions of density and radost to derive the appropriate conservation law.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the divergence theorem in vector calculus
  • Familiarity with fluid dynamics concepts, particularly mass density
  • Knowledge of conservation laws in physics
  • Ability to manipulate mathematical expressions involving integrals and derivatives
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  • Study the application of the divergence theorem in fluid dynamics
  • Learn about converting properties from per unit mass to per unit volume
  • Explore conservation laws related to different fluid properties
  • Investigate examples of deriving conservation equations in material science
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This discussion is beneficial for material scientists, fluid dynamicists, and students studying advanced fluid mechanics who are interested in the mathematical foundations of conservation laws and their applications in new fluid properties.

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Problem:

Material scientists have discovered a new fluid property called "radost" that is carried along with a fluid as it moves from one place to the next (just like a fluid's mass or momentum). Let ##r(x,y,z,t)## be the amount of radost/unit mass in a fluid. Let ##\rho(x,y,z,t)## be the mass density of the fluid. Let ##\vec{v}(x,y,z,t)## be the velocity vector of the fluid. Use the divergence theorem to derive a conservation law for radost.

Attempt at a Solution:

We did an example like this in class, but for conserving mass, so it was a little different. What we ended up with was the following expression \frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}+\nabla \cdot (\rho \vec{v})=0

We started by writing, dM=\rho dV Thus, M=\int_V \rho dV Then we applied the divergence theorem and that was basically it.

I'm just kind of confused how to start this one.
 
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The density of a fluid is the amount of mass of fluid per unit volume. Here we have some radost, R, and the interesting conservation law is going to be saying something about the amount of radost per unit volume. If the function r was radost per unit volume you would literally replace the density with r in the calculations you show in your post and be done - unfortunately it's given in radost per unit mass of fluid, so you need to convert that to radost per unit volume (which can be done with the information they give you)
 
Office_Shredder said:
The density of a fluid is the amount of mass of fluid per unit volume. Here we have some radost, R, and the interesting conservation law is going to be saying something about the amount of radost per unit volume. If the function r was radost per unit volume you would literally replace the density with r in the calculations you show in your post and be done - unfortunately it's given in radost per unit mass of fluid, so you need to convert that to radost per unit volume (which can be done with the information they give you)

Would it be ##dr=(r\rho)dV##?
 
Like OF said, needs to be radost per unit volume.
 
I'm sorry I'm not really sure how to do that.
 

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