SUMMARY
The pressure used in flow work calculations is the pressure of the fluid within the system, not the external pressure, due to the need for pressure continuity at the boundary of the control volume. In closed systems, the external pressure aligns with the gas pressure at the piston face, but during irreversible deformation, the pressure within the cylinder can be non-uniform. This results in an average pressure that does not equal the pressure at the piston face, emphasizing the importance of using fluid pressure for accurate flow work calculations.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of fluid mechanics principles
- Knowledge of pressure concepts in closed systems
- Familiarity with control volume analysis
- Basic concepts of irreversible deformation in gases
NEXT STEPS
- Research the principles of pressure continuity in fluid mechanics
- Study the effects of irreversible deformation on gas pressure
- Learn about control volume analysis techniques
- Examine case studies involving flow work calculations in closed systems
USEFUL FOR
Engineers, physicists, and students studying fluid mechanics or thermodynamics, particularly those interested in flow work and pressure dynamics in closed systems.