The continuity equation and the divergence

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of the continuity equation, specifically the equation ∂ρ/∂t + ∇·J = 0, in the context of fluid dynamics. It highlights a scenario where water spreads uniformly from the center of a sphere with constant density ρ. The participants clarify that while the divergence of J (J being the flux) is zero everywhere except at the center, it must be noted that at the center, the divergence can only be non-zero if there is a point source present, represented as a spherical delta function. This distinction is crucial for accurately applying the continuity equation in fluid dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the continuity equation in fluid dynamics
  • Familiarity with divergence and its implications in vector calculus
  • Knowledge of spherical coordinates and delta functions
  • Basic principles of fluid mechanics
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  • Study the implications of point sources in fluid dynamics
  • Learn about the mathematical representation of delta functions in physics
  • Explore the applications of the continuity equation in various fluid flow scenarios
  • Investigate the relationship between density, velocity, and divergence in incompressible fluids
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those specializing in fluid dynamics, as well as engineers and researchers working with fluid flow and continuity equations.

wuwei
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according to continuity equation (partial ρ)/(partial t) +divergence J = 0 . there is such a situation that there is continuous water spreads out from the center of a sphere with unchanged density ρ, and at the center dm/dt = C(a constant), divergence of J = ρv should be 0 anywhere except the center, but if I think that at the origin the density of water is unchanged and so the first term of continuity equation is 0 so divergence J is 0, too. but apparently it's wrong. what's the problem?
 
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It's really tough to say, exactly, because most of your post was an indecipherable run-on sentence. Would you mind starting over and restating the problem a bit more clearly?
 
Your case says
\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}+\nabla\cdot\mathbf{j}=C at the center, otherwise
\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}+\nabla\cdot\mathbf{j}=0

If density is constant
\nabla\cdot\mathbf{j}=C at the center, otherwise
\nabla\cdot\mathbf{j}=0

Anything wrong with it ?
 
sweet springs said:
Your case says
\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}+\nabla\cdot\mathbf{j}=C at the center, otherwise
\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}+\nabla\cdot\mathbf{j}=0

If density is constant
\nabla\cdot\mathbf{j}=C at the center, otherwise
\nabla\cdot\mathbf{j}=0

Anything wrong with it ?
Yes. The divergence is zero at the center also, unless you have a point source at the center, in which case, the divergence is a spherical delta function.
 

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