Fluid dynamics - finding pressure for a rotating fluid

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The discussion focuses on determining the pressure surfaces in a rotating fluid, specifically in a bucket of water under gravity. The initial application of Bernoulli's equation leads to a misunderstanding about the shape of the water surface, suggesting it is highest in the middle, which is incorrect. The Euler equations are provided to derive the correct pressure distribution, indicating that integration of these equations is necessary to find the accurate shape of the free surface. The integration process is clarified, emphasizing that constant pressure surfaces should be determined by setting pressure equal to a constant. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing that Bernoulli's principle applies only along streamlines, which is crucial for solving the problem correctly.
Deadstar
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Homework Statement



An ideal fluid is rotating under gravity g with constant angular velocicy \Omega, so that relative to the fixed Cartesian axes \mathbf{u} = (-\Omega y, \Omega x, 0). We wish to find the surfaces of constant pressure, and hence the surface of a uniformly rotating bucket of water (which will be at atmospheric pressure).
'By Bernoulli,' p/\rho + \mathbf{u}^2/2 + gz is constant so the constant pressure surfaces are
z = \textrm{constant} - \frac{\Omega^2}{2g}(x^2 + y^2).
But thes means that the surface of a rotating bucket of water is at the highest in the middle. What is wrong? (Done, not my question)

Write down the Euler equations in component form, integrate them directly to find the pressure, and hence obtain the correct shape for the free surface.

Homework Equations



Euler equations

\frac{D \mathbf{u}}{Dt} = -\frac{1}{\rho} \nabla p + \mathbf{g}

and in component form.

\frac{\partial u}{\partial t} + u\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + v\frac{\partial u}{\partial y} + w\frac{\partial u}{\partial z} = -\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial p}{\partial x}

\frac{\partial v}{\partial t} + u\frac{\partial v}{\partial x} + v\frac{\partial v}{\partial y} + w\frac{\partial v}{\partial z} = -\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial p}{\partial y}

\frac{\partial w}{\partial t} + u\frac{\partial w}{\partial x} + v\frac{\partial w}{\partial y} + w\frac{\partial w}{\partial z} = -\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial p}{\partial z} - g

The Attempt at a Solution



I get that the above component form becomes...

\Omega x \frac{\partial u}{\partial y} = -\Omega^2 x = -\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial p}{\partial x}

\Omega y \frac{\partial v}{\partial x} = -\Omega^2 y = -\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial p}{\partial y}

g = -\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial p}{\partial z}

So now I just sort of... integrate and combine them together. I'm not sure whether I can do this though, integrate each line seperatly and add it all together (as each is a component of the total pressure..?)

So I get...

-\frac{p}{\rho} = -\frac{\Omega^2}{2}(x^2 + y^2) + gz + constant

which is pretty close to what I'm after however I'm guessing something has gone wrong at the integration step. Anyone care to assist?

For finding the shape is it just a case of setting p/\rho equal to zero?
 
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Hi Deadstar! :smile:


(have a rho: ρ and an omega: Ω and a grad: ∇ and a curly d: ∂ :wink:)
Deadstar said:
'By Bernoulli,' …

Bernoulli's equation is only valid along a streamline

the "uphill" line on the surface is not a streamline

(a streamline would be either a horizontal circle … which doesn't help! … or any vertical line, on the weird principle that if you made little hole in the bottom, the water would go vertically into it :rolleyes:)
So I get...

-\frac{p}{\rho} = -\frac{\Omega^2}{2}(x^2 + y^2) + gz + constant

which is pretty close to what I'm after however I'm guessing something has gone wrong at the integration step. Anyone care to assist?

For finding the shape is it just a case of setting p/\rho equal to zero?

That looks ok …

your equal-pressure surfaces would be by putting p = constant. :smile:

(btw, you could have got the surface shape just by using centripetal acceleration of a tiny drop :wink:)
 
Thanks tiny tim but the 'by Bernoulli' part is part of the actual question and you had to figure out why the statement was wrong (which I had done)
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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