Graduate Surface waves and vorticity in 2D

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interaction between surface waves and vorticity in two-dimensional (2D) fluid dynamics, specifically addressing the classical Korteweg-deVries (KdV) equation for irrotational and incompressible fluids. The participants explore the implications of incorporating vorticity into the analysis, noting that vorticity can exist in 2D without viscosity, contrary to initial assumptions. The conversation highlights the importance of the Euler equations, which can describe vorticity dynamics even in the absence of viscosity. The participants seek clarity on the propagation of vorticity and its relationship with viscosity in fluid models.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Korteweg-deVries (KdV) equation
  • Familiarity with vorticity equations in fluid dynamics
  • Knowledge of Euler equations and Navier-Stokes equations
  • Basic concepts of irrotational and incompressible fluid flow
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of vorticity in 2D fluid dynamics
  • Study the derivation and applications of the Korteweg-deVries (KdV) equation
  • Explore the role of viscosity in fluid dynamics and its effects on vorticity
  • Examine the Euler equations in detail, particularly in relation to vorticity propagation
USEFUL FOR

Fluid dynamicists, researchers in applied mathematics, and engineers interested in wave propagation and vorticity effects in incompressible fluids.

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TL;DR
How do surface waves change in the presence of vorticity?
The classical free surface profile for the solitary wave for irrotational and incompressible fluids for small amplitude and long wavelength is the classical Korteweg-deVries(KdV) equation given by:\frac{\partial\eta}{\partial t}+\frac{\partial \eta}{\partial x}+\eta\frac{\partial\eta}{\partial x}+\frac{\partial^{3}\eta}{\partial x^{3}}=0
I'm interested in removing the irrrotational aspect of the initial assumptions. The vorticity equation in 2D can be written as:\frac{D\omega}{Dt}=0,\quad\omega=\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}-\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}, ``Combining'' these two equations yields:\frac{D}{Dt}\left(\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}-\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}\right)=0
The full equation is:\frac{\partial}{\partial t}\left(\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}-\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}\right)+u\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\left(\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}-\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}\right)+v\frac{\partial}{\partial y}\left(\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}-\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}\right)=0
From here I can do the usual approximations to get a similar equation to the KdV? Where am I going wrong here?
 
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I've not dived deep into your question but my impression is that vorticity can't propagate without viscosity in the medium. If you effectively are assuming zero viscosity then ... hmmm... I would have to deep dive to speculate further.
 
That's not true actually. Euler equations (i.e. Navier-Stokes without viscosity) can also contain viscosity. But other than that I don't have an answer here.
 
jambaugh said:
I've not dived deep into your question but my impression is that vorticity can't propagate without viscosity in the medium. If you effectively are assuming zero viscosity then ... hmmm... I would have to deep dive to speculate further.
What you have is that on a given streamline, vorticity is conserved. There are plenty of vorticity solutions in 2D without viscosity.
 
Arjan82 said:
That's not true actually. Euler equations (i.e. Navier-Stokes without viscosity) can also contain viscosity. But other than that I don't have an answer here.
How can Euler's equations contain viscosity?
 
They don't. But they can contain vorticity (my bad.. I see the typo now...)
 
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