Fluid flow,acceleration and bernoulli's theorem

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of fluid flow, acceleration, and Bernoulli's theorem, particularly in the context of steady versus unsteady flow. Participants explore the implications of particle velocity in steady flow and how it relates to acceleration and the applicability of Bernoulli's theorem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that even with constant velocity of each particle in steady flow, all fluid particles are accelerating, raising questions about how fluid can accelerate under these conditions.
  • Another participant suggests that as the fluid accelerates, the movement of molecules becomes less random, leading to an increase in the net component of velocity in the direction of flow.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes that velocity in steady flow can vary at different locations within the stream, using the example of a venturi to illustrate how pressure and velocity interact according to conservation principles.
  • One participant clarifies that in steady flow, while the velocity at a specific location does not change over time, the velocity of individual particles along their streamlines can change.
  • There is a discussion about whether the average velocity of fluid molecules or the net velocity is being referenced, with some participants indicating that the net velocity is not constant.
  • Another participant reiterates that Bernoulli's equation applies to the fluid treated as a continuum, not to individual molecular velocities, and emphasizes that in steady state, the velocity at fixed locations remains unchanged over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the concepts of velocity and acceleration in steady flow, with no consensus reached on the implications for Bernoulli's theorem or the nature of fluid motion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions of velocity being discussed, particularly whether it refers to average or net velocity, and how these relate to the behavior of fluid particles in steady versus unsteady flow.

meghana1704
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Even though the velocity of each particle is constatnt in staedy flow,all the fluid particles are accelerating.If velocity of every particle in the steady state fluid flow is constant how does the fluid accelerate?In that case,why is there a bernoulli theorem for unsteady flow?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I assume you mean the average velocity of the molecules of a fluid. What can happen is as the fluid accelerates, the movement of the molecules becomes less random, and the net component of velocity in the direction of flow increases.
 
Not understanding the question. The velocity in a steady flow is not necessarily constant. It may be constant at a particular point, but may vary at different locations in the stream. For example, bernoulli's principle is usually applied to a venturi. The pressure drops and the velocity increases in the narrow part of the venturi. This is a result of the conservation of mass and the conservation of energy.
 
meghana1704 said:
Even though the velocity of each particle is constatnt in staedy flow,all the fluid particles are accelerating.If velocity of every particle in the steady state fluid flow is constant how does the fluid accelerate?In that case,why is there a bernoulli theorem for unsteady flow?
In a steady flow, the velocity of the particles passing through each specific spatial location does not change with time. But if you follow the motion of an individual particle along its streamline, its velocity will change with time. At a given spatial location, each new particle replaces the one that previously occupied that spatial location before it, and when the new particle arrives at that spatial location, its velocity will be the same as that of the particle that had just departed.
 
meghana1704 said:
If velocity of every particle in the steady state fluid flow is constant ...
It's not clear if you're referring to the average velocity of the molecules of a fluid, including random direction components, or if you mean the net velocity of the molecules. The net velocity is not constant.
 
rcgldr said:
It's not clear if you're referring to the average velocity of the molecules of a fluid, including random direction components, or if you mean the net velocity of the molecules. The net velocity is not constant.

The OP is talking about the situation when you treat the fluid as a continuum. The OP is not referring to the molecules. Bernoulli's equation does not refer to the velocities of the individual molecules. When the fluid is treated as a continuum, and the flow is at steady state, the velocity at each fixed location in the flow field does not change with time.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
985
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K