3.1 Flow of Invisid and Homogeneous Fluids: Chapter 3. High-Speed Flows
3.1 Flow of Invisid and Homogeneous Fluids: Chapter 3. High-Speed Flows
3-1-invisc.tex
May 10, 2003
In this chapter we examine high-speed flows of a viscous fluid. As a prelude, the limit of
inviscid flows is breifly discussed.
D ζ~ ~
= ζ · ∇~q.
Dt
If ζ~ = 0 everywhere at t = t0 , then
D ζ~
=0
Dt
at t = t0 for all ~x. Therefore, at t = t0 + dt0 , ζ~ = 0 everywhere. Repeating the argument, ζ~
remains zero at t = t0 + 2dt, t0 + 3dt, . . . , for all ~x. In other words the flow is irrotational at
all times if it is so at the start. A flow in which ζ~ = ∇ × q~ vanishes everywhere is called an
irrotational flow.
It is a well known identity in vector analysis that an irrotational vector can be expressed
as the gradient of a scalar potential. Thus we define the velocity potential φ by
~q = ∇φ (3.1.1)
∂2φ ∂2φ
+ 2 =0 (3.1.6)
∂x2 ∂y
It is also useful to introduce another scalar function, the stream function ψ, defined by
∂ψ ∂ψ
u= v=− . (3.1.7)
∂y ∂x
so that (3.1.3) is satisfied automatically. Substituting Eqn. (3.1.7) into Eqn. (3.1.4), we find
ψ to be a harmonic function too.
∂2ψ ∂2ψ
+ 2 = 0. (3.1.8)
∂x2 ∂y
By definition,
∂φ ∂ψ ∂φ ∂ψ
(u =) = , (v =) =− (3.1.9)
∂x ∂y ∂y ∂x
therefore φ and ψ also satisfy Cauchy-Riemann conditons and are harmonic conjugates
of each other. This is why the theory of complex functions is an important tool in two-
dimensional potential flows.
In the plane of x, y, lines of constant φ are called equipotential lines; the velocity vector
is normal to equipotential lines and is directed from lower to higher poteitials. Lines of
constant ψ are the streamlines; the velocity vector is tangential to the local streamline. It
follows that equi-potentials are perpendicular to streamlines. As a formal proof we note that
∇φ · ∇ψ = φx ψx + φy ψy = u(−v) + vu = 0 (3.1.10)
Indeed the difference of the stream functions at two points is just the volume flux rate
between the two points. This can be seen by using the definitions (3.1.7). First ψ(x, y) has
the dimension of volume flux rate : U L = L2 /T . With reference to Figure (??), the flux
between two streamlines can be calculated in two equivalent ways
In view of (3.1.7),
∂ψ δψ ∂ψ δψ
u= = | , v=− =− | ,
∂y δy x= const. ∂x ∂x y= const.
hence
δψ δψ
uδy = δy = δψ, − vδx = δx = δψ.
∂y ∂x
where δψ = ψ2 − ψ1 . simple observations will confirm that the stream funciton has all the
features of the rate of volume flux. From the theory of complex functions, the following
complex potential
√
w = φ(x, y) + iψ(x, y) i = −1. (3.1.11)
4
∂~q ~q 2 1
+∇ − q~ × (∇ × ~q) = − ∇p + f~. (3.1.12)
∂t 2 ρ
If the body force is conservative and the flow irrotational, i.e., f~ = −∇Γ and q~ = ∇φ, then
" #
∂φ ~q 2 p
∇ + + +Γ =0
∂t 2 ρ
∂φ ~q 2 p
+ + + Γ = C(t) (3.1.13)
∂t 2 ρ
for all ~x. This Bernoulli law is useful in the theory of surface waves.
Steady but rotational flows The momentum equation reads:
1
q~ · ∇~q = − ∇p + f~
ρ
∂qi 1 ∂p ∂Γ
qj =− −
∂xj ρ ∂xi ∂xi
Therefore, " #
∂ q~ 2 p
qi + + Γ = 0.
∂xi 2 ρ
and
q~ 2 p
+ + Γ = constant along a streamline. (3.1.14)
2 ρ
A streamline is a curve along which the velocity vectors are tangent to the line. It is
importatn that the constant may be different for different streamlines, hence (3.1.14) is
different from (3.1.13).
Most of the wave phenonmena in fliuds can be described by an inviscid theory. The
interested reader should visit the website for WAVES:
http://web.mit.edu/fluids-modules/waves/www/