Understanding Viscosity: Solving a Fluid Mechanics Problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding viscosity in the context of a fluid mechanics problem involving a disk moving in a viscous fluid between two parallel plates. Participants explore the application of the viscosity equation and the implications of shear stress, torque, and fluid dynamics in this scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference the viscosity equation, τ = μ(dv/dy), as a starting point for their problem.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how to approach the exercise and requests guidance.
  • Another participant suggests considering a scenario with a viscous fluid between two parallel plates to help clarify the problem.
  • There is a discussion about the relationship between angular velocity and linear velocity, with one participant noting the need to express relative linear velocity as a function of radial location.
  • Participants debate the calculation of shear stress and the distribution of forces on the disk, with one participant proposing to treat each side of the disk independently.
  • There is confusion regarding the calculation of torque, with one participant asserting that if force is zero, torque must also be zero, while others challenge this view by discussing the distribution of forces and the need for integration.
  • One participant seeks clarification on the concept of unit vectors in the context of integrating forces in cylindrical coordinates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the application of viscosity concepts, the calculation of forces and torques, and the role of unit vectors. There is no consensus on the correct approach to the problem, and multiple competing views remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their understanding of the problem, particularly regarding the definitions of variables and the integration of forces. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions and interpretations of the fluid mechanics involved.

  • #31
fayan77 said:
Why is force in x negative?
If the disk is rotating clockwise, the force per unit area is in the counterclockwise direction. So, in the first and second quadrant, the component of the force per unit area is in the negative x direction.
And why is Omega y
Same for force in y?
The magnitude of the force per unit area is ##\mu\left(\frac{\Omega\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}{a}+\frac{\Omega\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}{b}\right)##. So the magnitude of the component of force in the x direction is geometrically $$\mu\left(\frac{\Omega\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}{a}+\frac{\Omega\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}{b}\right)\frac{y}{\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}=\mu\left(\frac{\Omega y}{a}+\frac{\Omega y}{b}\right)$$Similarly for the force in the y direction.
 
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  • #32
What is the area?
 

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  • #33
fayan77 said:
What is the area?
As I said in post #29, the differential area over which these components of force per unit area apply is dA=dxdy.
 
  • #34
So what is... On the picture
 

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  • #35
fayan77 said:
So what is... On the picture
That's the cosine of the angle that the velocity vector makes with the x direction. We are trying to resolve the velocity vector into components in the x and y directions, so we must multiply the magnitude of the velocity vector by the appropriate trigonometric functions.
 
  • #36
I think I understand now. is it analogous to when finding the electric field? Because electric field is a vector we have to decompose to components then integrate?
 
  • #37
Disk Torque.png


Maybe the above figure can help explain.

Regarding electric field applications: I don't know much about the application to problems like that.
 

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  • #38
We are on the same page now!
 
  • #39
I understand this. Can I ignore the i unit vector?
 

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  • #40
fayan77 said:
We are on the same page now!
OK. Can you integrate Eqns. 1 and 2 of my post #29 to get the net horizontal and vertical force components on the disk? Do you know how to work with Eqns. 1 and 2 to get the torque on the disk?
 
  • #41
No, but isn't it the same to the polar one?
 
  • #42
fayan77 said:
I understand this. Can I ignore the i unit vector?
No way. This does not take into account the fact that the direction of the force per unit area (as described by the unit vector) changes with angular position on the disk. That's why I thought it would be better if you switched to Cartesian coordinates. L'd like to see what you get for the x and y components of the force Fx and Fy when you integrate over the area of the disk.
 
  • #43
fayan77 said:
No, but isn't it the same to the polar one?
No. Your formulation of the polar one is incorrect because it does not take into account the change in direction of the differential force over the area of the disk. Force is a vector, and if, in your system, its direction varies with position, it is imperative that you account in summing its contribution to the net force. If you want to use polar coordinates, you can express the unit vector in the theta direction as follows in terms of the (constant) unit vectors in the x and y directions (and then integrate using polar coordinates):

$$\mathbf{i}_{\theta}=\cos{\theta}\mathbf{i}_y-\sin{\theta}\mathbf{i}_x$$
 
  • #44
Ok got it. Going back to the picture of the circle and differential area can you explain how force x has direction y/√(x²+y²)? Shouldn't it be x/√(x²+y²)?
 
  • #45
Nevermind got it!
 
  • #46
Didn't know limits of integration for Cartesian form so I used polar, hopefully this is correct
 
  • #47
fayan77 said:
Didn't know limits of integration for Cartesian form so I used polar, hopefully this is correct
After you show that the net force is zero, let’s talk about how to get the torque (which is not zero).
 
  • #48
Ok I got zero after I simplified, how is it possible to have no force but have a torque!?
 
  • #49
fayan77 said:
Ok I got zero after I simplified, how is it possible to have no force but have a torque!?
You'll see. At each location on the disk, the differential force dF on each differential area is oriented perpendicular to the moment arm drawn from the origin r. Therefore, its differential contribution to the torque is $$dT=\left[\mu \left(\frac{\Omega r}{a}+\frac{\Omega r}{b}\right)rdrd\theta\right] r=\mu \left(\frac{1 }{a}+\frac{1}{b}\right)\Omega r^3drd\theta$$What does this give you when you integrate with respect to r and theta?
 
  • #50
Yes I understand the mathematical concept torque= from but when I find force it is 0 so how is this physically possible?
 
  • #51
fayan77 said:
Yes I understand the mathematical concept torque= from but when I find force it is 0 so how is this physically possible?
Suppose you have two parallel forces acting on a rigid body. The forces are equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction. What is the net force acting on the body?

Even through the two parallel forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, they do not have the same line of action. If the magnitudes of each of the two forces is F and the perpendicular distance between their lines of action is d, what is the net torque on the body?
 
  • #52
A couple system?
 
  • #53
fayan77 said:
A couple system?
Yes. Please answer my questions.
 
  • #54
Net force is 0 and net torque is Fd
 
  • #55
fayan77 said:
Net force is 0 and net torque is Fd
Correct. Now, in our problem, for each differential element of area on the disk, there is a corresponding differential area element located 180 degrees away in which the force per unit area is parallel and opposite in direction. Do you see that?
 
  • #56
Yes, so instead of integrating df (force) I should integrate dam (moment).
 
  • #57
fayan77 said:
Yes, so instead of integrating df (force) I should integrate dam (moment).
Well, you already showed by integrating that the net force is equal to zero. Of course, we expected that from the symmetry of the system.

To get the moment, integrating is required.
 
  • #58
Oh ok! now I don't care about direction since all the vectors are all tangential so we just integrate radius so I can can pull out 2pi out of integral?
 
  • #59
fayan77 said:
Oh ok! now I don't care about direction since all the vectors are all tangential so we just integrate radius so I can can pull out 2pi out of integral?
Yes. You just integrate the equation in post 49, pulling out the 2pi.
 
  • #60
Thank you so much! I can honestly say I fully understand this problem!
 

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