Fluid MechanicsQuestion about the Differential Energy Equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differential energy equation in fluid mechanics, specifically focusing on the derivation and implications of various terms within the equation. Participants express confusion over the logical connections between different simplifications and conditions applied to the energy equation, as well as the continuity equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the transition from the energy equation to a simplified form, questioning how certain approximations relate to the condition of divergence of velocity being zero.
  • Another participant asserts that the two statements regarding the approximations and the divergence of velocity are unrelated and represent separate simplifications.
  • A later reply discusses the implications of having \nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0 while dT/dt is not zero, raising questions about the physical meaning of these conditions.
  • Some participants mention a missing equation related to the continuity equation, suggesting that it may clarify the relationship between density and velocity divergence.
  • One participant requests a full step-by-step derivation of the energy equation, indicating gaps in their understanding of the derivation process.
  • Another participant provides a brief explanation of internal energy for a calorically perfect gas, linking it to the variables used in the energy equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the logical connections between the approximations and the conditions imposed on the energy equation. Multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of the divergence of velocity and the continuity equation.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the derivation may lack clarity due to missing steps or equations, particularly concerning the continuity equation and its implications for incompressible flow.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in fluid mechanics, particularly those studying the differential energy equation and its derivation, may find this discussion relevant.

Saladsamurai
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I am going through the derivation in my text and I have reached a line that makes absolutely no sense to me. I cannot see the correlation between one line and the next and it has led me to believe that it is either an error or just bad editing/wording.

We are at the point where the energy equation has been completely derived, yielding:

[tex]\rho\frac{d\hat{u}}{dt}+p(\nabla\cdot\vec{V}) = \nabla\cdot(k\nabla T) +\Phi \qquad (1)[/tex]​

where [itex]\Phi[/itex] is the viscous work-dissipation function.

He then says that
since (1) if often too difficult to analyze, it is cstomary to make the following approximations: [itex]d\hat{u}\approx c_vdT \qquad & \qqaud c_v,\mu,k,\rho\approx\text{constant}[/itex]

Okay, that's great. Here, the next line is where I get all messed up:

Equation 9 then takes the simpler form, for [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex],

[tex]\rho c_v\frac{dT}{dt}=k\nabla^2T+\Phi[/tex]​

What?! How does [itex]d\hat{u}\approx c_vdT \qquad & \qqaud c_v,\mu,k,\rho\approx\text{constant}[/itex] imply that [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex] ?

Or are the two completely unrelated and the wording only makes it seem like the 2 statements follow logically.

Is the [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex] 'case' another condition that he is imposing on (1) in addition to the conditions [itex]d\hat{u}\approx c_vdT \qquad & \qqaud c_v,\mu,k,\rho\approx\text{constant}[/itex]?

I am confused :confused:

Any insight is appreciated as always :smile:
 
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The two statements are unrelated, AFAIK. Two separate simplifications.
 
Andy Resnick said:
The two statements are unrelated, AFAIK. Two separate simplifications.

Yeah it's weird. He goes on a few lines later to talk about the special case where the fuid is at rest. But in the above, even though [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex], that does not mean that the fluid is at rest since [itex]dT/dt \ne0[/itex], which contains velocity components.

So I don't see when we would have [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex] AND [itex]dT/dt \ne0[/itex].

What special case is that? And why would he not explicitly give the details as to what that meant physically? Like when the fluid flows over kittens or something...what is the 'special case' ?
 
Saladsamurai said:
Yeah it's weird. He goes on a few lines later to talk about the special case where the fuid is at rest. But in the above, even though [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex], that does not mean that the fluid is at rest since [itex]dT/dt \ne0[/itex], which contains velocity components.

They left out an equation.

[itex]{\partial \rho \over \partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \mathbf{V}) = 0[/itex]

If you set \rho constant then you get [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex]
 
twofish-quant said:
They left out an equation.

[itex]{\partial \rho \over \partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \mathbf{V}) = 0[/itex]

If you set \rho constant then you get [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex]


Oh wow. Nice catch twofish-quant :thumbsup: Maybe he did not 'leave it out;' maybe his intent was for the reader to really 'flex' that brain.

This must be what he meant back in the beginning of the chapter on differential relations. He said something to the effect of "<paraphrasing> we must always return to the continuity equation else our results will be most likely be nonsensical..."

It never occurred to me that just because the energy equation or momentum equation looks mathematically sound that it might not be physically sound.

Thanks! :smile:
 
Hi, I am trying to derive the full energy equation for a fluid (rho du/dt + P grad V=del dot (kgrad T) + the viscous dissipation function. I understand almost the entire derivation but my texts leave out a few steps. Instead of asking the specifics since I am not well versed with the equation editor, can someone post the entire step by step derivation? Thanks
 
Saladsamurai said:
I am going through the derivation in my text and I have reached a line that makes absolutely no sense to me. I cannot see the correlation between one line and the next and it has led me to believe that it is either an error or just bad editing/wording.

We are at the point where the energy equation has been completely derived, yielding:

[tex]\rho\frac{d\hat{u}}{dt}+p(\nabla\cdot\vec{V}) = \nabla\cdot(k\nabla T) +\Phi \qquad (1)[/tex]​

where [itex]\Phi[/itex] is the viscous work-dissipation function.

He then says that


Okay, that's great. Here, the next line is where I get all messed up:

[/CENTER]

What?! How does [itex]d\hat{u}\approx c_vdT \qquad & \qqaud c_v,\mu,k,\rho\approx\text{constant}[/itex] imply that [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex] ?

Or are the two completely unrelated and the wording only makes it seem like the 2 statements follow logically.

Is the [itex]\nabla\cdot\vec{V}=0[/itex] 'case' another condition that he is imposing on (1) in addition to the conditions [itex]d\hat{u}\approx c_vdT \qquad & \qqaud c_v,\mu,k,\rho\approx\text{constant}[/itex]?

I am confused :confused:

Any insight is appreciated as always :smile:
simply the the the divergence of the vector velocity (div(v)) THIS QUANTITY REPRESENT THE CONTINUITY EQUATION FOR A 3D INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW.
Go back to the continuity equation and you see that Prof Franl white he made a derivation in catesian coordinate and cylindrical coordinates system for an unsteady compressble conditions.
but if we expande the the contnuity , and we assume that the flow is incompressble we get exactely the div(V)=nabla dot( V), nabla is a diferential operator when it operate on vector as grad(v) has no sense, but when it dot the result is a scalar function.
*iF YOU NEDD A DETAILLED DERIVATION OF ALL THE EQUATION , AND THE SCALLING FACTORS, IN ORDER TO FIND THE CONTINUITY IN CYLINDRICAL AND SPHERICAL COORDINATES SEND ME A MESSAGE, AND I WILL SEND YOU THE FULL DETAILLED DERIVATIO. MY EMAIL=(london_maurice@hotmail.com)
 
du=Cvdt this is the internal energy for a caloricaly, perfect gas. mu is the viscosity,k is the heat conduction,rho is the density.
 
But i don't understand one things here Salds how did you get into this step without having problem with the steps before?
 

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