Is this equation conservative or non-conservative?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Navier-Stokes equation for compressible flow, specifically whether it is expressed in the context of a control volume or a material volume. Participants explore the implications of the equation's integral form and its relation to conservative and non-conservative equations.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the Navier-Stokes equation is written for a control volume due to its integral form and the expression of fluxes out of a cube, relating to conservation of momentum.
  • Others express uncertainty, noting that integral forms of non-conservative equations also exist, which complicates the classification.
  • One participant suggests that the first term on the right-hand side of the equation would not be present in the material volume form, arguing that no fluid enters or leaves a material volume, leading to its disappearance.
  • Another participant asserts that the integral form for material volume is the same as for control volume, except that the first term on the right-hand side is absent, while the differential forms for both are identical.
  • References to external resources, such as the Reynolds transport theorem, are made to support claims about the relationship between integral and differential forms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the presence of terms in the material volume form versus the control volume form, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the integral and differential forms of the equations, but there is no resolution on the implications of these forms regarding conservativeness or non-conservativeness. The discussion also highlights the complexity of the topic, with assumptions about fluid behavior in different volume contexts remaining unresolved.

humphreybogart
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Homework Statement


This is the Navier-Stokes equation for compressible flow. nj is the unit normal vector to the surface 'j', and ni is the unit normal vector in the 'i' direction. Is this equation written for a control volume or a material volume?

Homework Equations


upload_2016-7-10_19-0-39.png


The Attempt at a Solution


I believe it's for a control volume, since it's in integral form and expressing fluxes out of a cube (taking advantage of conservation of momentum). However, I know that integral forms of non-conservative equations also exist, so I'm not sure.
 
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humphreybogart said:

Homework Statement


This is the Navier-Stokes equation for compressible flow. nj is the unit normal vector to the surface 'j', and ni is the unit normal vector in the 'i' direction. Is this equation written for a control volume or a material volume?

Homework Equations


View attachment 103049

The Attempt at a Solution


I believe it's for a control volume, since it's in integral form and expressing fluxes out of a cube (taking advantage of conservation of momentum). However, I know that integral forms of non-conservative equations also exist, so I'm not sure.
Would the first term on the right hand side be present in the material volume form?
 
Chestermiller said:
Would the first term on the right hand side be present in the material volume form?
I'm tempted to say 'no', because no fluid enters or leaves a material volume. So the term would disappear. I'd like to see the integral and differential form for conservative, and the integral and differential form for non-conservative.
 
humphreybogart said:
I'm tempted to say 'no', because no fluid enters or leaves a material volume. So the term would disappear. I'd like to see the integral and differential form for conservative, and the integral and differential form for non-conservative.
The integral form for material volume is the same as for control volume, except that the first term on the right hand side is absent. The differential forms for both are identical. See this link to see why the integral form of the material volume development reduces to the same differential form as the control volume development: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_transport_theorem
 
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Chestermiller said:
The integral form for material volume is the same as for control volume, except that the first term on the right hand side is absent. The differential forms for both are identical. See this link to see why the integral form of the material volume development reduces to the same differential form as the control volume development: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_transport_theorem
Thank you.
Chestermiller said:
The integral form for material volume is the same as for control volume, except that the first term on the right hand side is absent. The differential forms for both are identical. See this link to see why the integral form of the material volume development reduces to the same differential form as the control volume development: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_transport_theorem
Great! I seen in another post a reference to Bird's Transport Phenomena book. Thanks.
 

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