Fluid mechanics - impact of jet question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanics of a fluid jet impacting a stationary flat plate, focusing on the forces exerted on the plate and the implications for energy conservation. Participants explore concepts related to momentum, energy transfer, and the behavior of the jet before and after striking the plate.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question how a jet with constant kinetic energy can exert a force on a stationary plate, suggesting that energy dissipation is necessary for force application.
  • Others clarify that a force does not necessarily involve energy transfer, particularly when the plate is stationary, thus no energy conservation is violated.
  • A participant introduces the scenario of a moving plate, arguing that the relative velocity between the jet and the plate changes, affecting the energy balance and momentum transfer.
  • Some assert that impulse momentum principles apply, indicating that the change in direction of the jet results in a change in momentum, which contributes to the force on the plate.
  • There is a contention regarding the existence of reaction forces on the jet from the exiting fluid, with some denying their presence while others reference established fluid mechanics concepts.
  • Participants discuss the definitions of force and impulse, emphasizing that force is related to momentum change rather than energy change, and that work is defined differently.
  • Some participants highlight the importance of considering the continuum mechanics perspective, suggesting that the material derivative is necessary for understanding the rates of change involved in fluid dynamics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between force, momentum, and energy in the context of fluid jets impacting surfaces. There is no consensus on the necessity of energy dissipation for force application, nor on the existence of reaction forces from the fluid.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the conditions of the plate (stationary vs. moving) and the nature of the jet's behavior, which may influence the interpretations of force and energy transfer. Some mathematical steps and definitions remain unresolved, particularly regarding the application of impulse momentum principles.

patelsp004
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Consider a case- Force excerted on a stationary flat plate held normal to the jet.

The Jet strikes on plate (see fig.) Which is smooth hence the exit velococity of jet = entering velocity of jet.

According to theory. The fore is applied on plate due to change in momentum of jet.

But my doubt is that since the jet have constant kinetic energy due to same velocity at entering and exit i.e. their is no loss of energy of the jet then how it can apply force on plate. It seems like energy is generated which voilates first law.

I mean in order to apply force the jet should dissipate its energy but it is coming out with same velocity which means it have constant energy.

Please clear my doubt.
 

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There is also a reaction force on the jet from the exiting fluid. This force will likely be proportional to the net force on the plate.
 
A force does not inherently involve an energy transfer. If the plate is stationary, it gains no energy, and thus there is no energy conservation violated.
 
cjl said:
A force does not inherently involve an energy transfer. If the plate is stationary, it gains no energy, and thus there is no energy conservation violated.

What if the plate is not fixed but moving like a blade of a turbine. The whole principle is based on impulse momentum. I read that the plate change the direction of jet hence the momenum of jet also changes which in turn applies the force.
Force= change in momentum
= mass flow rate *velocity of jet.

My doubt is that the jet have only kinetic energy which is constant then from where the hell this force is coming from??
 
If the plate is moving, the inbound velocity (relative to the plate) will be different, which will change the exit velocity (thus changing the energy balance).
 
Mech_Engineer said:
There is also a reaction force on the jet from the exiting fluid. This force will likely be proportional to the net force on the plate.
Nothing such reaction force exists.
 
cjl said:
If the plate is moving, the inbound velocity (relative to the plate) will be different, which will change the exit velocity (thus changing the energy balance).
Yes the relative velocity of jet will be V-u
Where, V= jet velocity
u= plate velocity
But after striking with plate the exit velocity renains same as V-u.
So there is no energy balance.
 
Force is defined as change in momentum, not change in energy. A change in energy is work. If the jet impinges on a wall that doesn't move, then there shouldn't be an energy change. No work was performed (neglecting viscosity, of course).
 
patelsp004 said:
Yes the relative velocity of jet will be V-u
Where, V= jet velocity
u= plate velocity
But after striking with plate the exit velocity renains same as V-u.
So there is no energy balance.

The exit velocity is the same as the input velocity in the plate-fixed frame, yes, but that is not surprising (since the plate has zero energy in this frame). Now, consider the original frame. Now the inbound jet velocity is V, and the outbound velocity from the moving plate is V-u, thus the jet has given some of its energy to the plate.
 
  • #10
boneh3ad said:
Force is defined as change in momentum, not change in energy. A change in energy is work. If the jet impinges on a wall that doesn't move, then there shouldn't be an energy change. No work was performed (neglecting viscosity, of course).

Impulse (force integrated over time) is defined as a change in momentum, not force. Force is equivalent to the rate of change of momentum with respect to time (dp/dt) and the rate of change of energy with respect to distance (dE/ds).
 
  • #11
patelsp004 said:
Nothing such reaction force exists.

Please consult "Worked Example #1" in the following link. It's called "nozzle reaction force" and is well understood in fluid mechanics.

http://www.freestudy.co.uk/fluid%2520mechanics/t7203.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #12
ulianjay said:
Impulse (force integrated over time) is defined as a change in momentum, not force. Force is equivalent to the rate of change of momentum with respect to time (dp/dt) and the rate of change of energy with respect to distance (dE/ds).

Sure but we are talking about continuum mechanics here where you have to use the material derivative to get those rates of change, which include spatial derivatives. So basically, in a continuum sense, Newton's second law is not just a simple time derivative.

So I guess to be more precise in my language, the force has to do with the change in the flow of momentum in a fluid problem like this, not the flow of energy.
 

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