How Does the Bernoulli Equation Determine Axial Pressure in Jet Flows?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on applying the Bernoulli equation to determine axial pressure in a jet of incompressible fluid emerging from a channel. It highlights that the Bernoulli equation cannot be used for viscous flow, as the jet's core is influenced by viscous forces. The external boundary layer pressure remains constant due to the stagnant atmosphere surrounding the jet. Calculations for incompressible jets typically assume negligible pressure gradients, particularly at high Reynolds numbers where the boundary layer is thin. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding flow dynamics when applying theoretical equations.
Lucus
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Okay, here's the question:

A jet of incompressible fluid emerges from a horizontal channel into an environment of the same fluid. The momentum of the jet at the exit of the channel is measured to be M. The exit momentum is the source of a downstream flow which spreads gradually with distance.

The fluid outside the jet flow is at rest. Use the Bernoulli equation to determine the axial (x) pressure beyond the boundary of the jet flow. How can that result, and the properties of the boundary layer equations be used to determine the axial pressure gradient inside the jet?

So there's the question. I'm not really sure where to start. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Lucus said:
Okay, here's the question:
A jet of incompressible fluid emerges from a horizontal channel into an environment of the same fluid. The momentum of the jet at the exit of the channel is measured to be M. The exit momentum is the source of a downstream flow which spreads gradually with distance.
The fluid outside the jet flow is at rest. Use the Bernoulli equation to determine the axial (x) pressure beyond the boundary of the jet flow. How can that result, and the properties of the boundary layer equations be used to determine the axial pressure gradient inside the jet?
So there's the question. I'm not really sure where to start. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Nice problem, although the statement makes no sense. You can't use Bernoulli equation to determine the axial pressure assuming viscous flow as you are doing. The jet core developed in a non dimensional distance of order Re_j^{-1} is dominated by viscous forces. You only can apply Bernouilli to calculate external boundary layer pressure, but as it is an stagnant atmosphere, this pressure is trivially constant P_a.
Usual calculations of incompressible jets assume negligible pressure gradients, in part because the boundary layer is so thin at large Re that transversal pressure gradients are very small, and also because by this argument the external pressure impose an uniform pressure across the symmetry axis.
 
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