Indian Institute of Space science and Technology

Mid-Term Exam
Course: Fluid Dynamics(AE-621) Maximum marks: 30
Date: 26-09-2024 Duration: 120 min

Solutions

1. A block of mass M slides on a thin film of oil (figure 1). The film thickness is h, and the (4)
block area is A. Mass m exerts tension on the cord when released, causing the block to
accelerate. Neither friction in the pulley nor air resistance should be considered. Formulate
an algebraic expression for the viscous force on the block when it moves at speed V. Create
a differential equation for the block speed as a function of time. Formulate a block speed
expression over time.

Figure 1: Schematic of a block of mass M sliding on a thin film of oil, with mass m
exerting tension on the cord.

Given: Block on oil layer pulled by hanging weight.

Find: Expression for viscous force at speed V ; differential equation for motion; block speed
as a function of time; oil viscosity.
Solution:
Governing equations:

du X
τyx = µ ; Fx = M ax
dy

Assumptions: Laminar flow; linear velocity profile in oil layer.

The given data is:

M = 5 kg, W = mg = 9.81 N, A = 25 cm2 , h = 0.05 mm

Equation of motion (block):

X dV
Fx = M ax so Ft − Fv = M (1)
dt

Equation of motion (block):

X dV
Fy = may so mg − Ft = m (2)
dt
 Adding Eqs. (1) and (2):
dV
mg − Fv = (M + m)
dt
The friction force is:
du V
Fv = τyx · A = µ ·A=µ ·A
dy h
Hence:
µ·A dV
mg − · V = (M + m)
h dt
To solve, separate variables:
M +m
dt = µ·A
· dV
mg − h ·V

Solving:
!!
mg − µ·A
h ·V
 
(M + m) · h (M + m) · h µ·A
t= ln = ln 1 − ·V
µ·A mg µ·A mg · h

Taking antilogarithms:
µ·A − µ·A ·t
1− · V = e (M +m)·h
mg · h
Finally:
mg · h  − µ·A ·t

V = 1 − e (M +m)·h
µ·A
The maximum velocity is:
mg · h
V =
µ·A

2. Consider a 2D stress tensor in the xy-plane, given by: (4)

 
100 50
T = MPa
50 150

The coordinate system is rotated by 30◦ counterclockwise. Find the transformed stress
tensor in the new coordinate system.
Solution:
The transformation of the stress tensor under a rotation by an angle θ = 30◦ is given by:

T ′ = R(θ)T RT (θ)

where R(θ) is the rotation matrix:

 
cos θ sin θ
R(θ) =
− sin θ cos θ

Step 1: Write the rotation matrix R(30◦ ) (1 mark):

√ !
cos 30◦ sin 30◦ 3 1
 
R(30◦ ) = = 2 √2
− sin 30◦ cos 30◦ − 12 3
2

Page 2
 Step 2: Perform matrix multiplication to find the transformed tensor T ′ (1.5
marks):
We now compute T ′ = RT RT . First, compute RT , the transpose of R(30◦ ):
√ !
3 1
−
RT (30◦ ) = 2
1
√2
3
2 2

Now perform the matrix multiplication:

√ ! √ !
3 1 3 1

′ 2 √2 100 50 2 −
√2
T = 3 3
−1 2
50 150
2
1
2 2

Step 3: Final transformed stress tensor T ′ (1.5 marks):

After carrying out the matrix multiplication:
 
′ 155.8013 46.6506
T =
46.6506 94.1987

3. Given an unsteady temperature field T = (xy + z + 3t) K and unsteady velocity field (4)
V = xy î + z ĵ + 5tk̂, what will be the rate of change of temperature of a particle at the
point (2, −2, 1) at time t = 2s? Write the expressions in index forms while solving.

Solution:
The rate of change of temperature for a particle in a moving fluid is found using the material
derivative of the temperature field T . In index notation, this is expressed as:

dT ∂T ∂T
= + Vi
dt ∂t ∂xi
where:

• ∂T
∂t is the local rate of change of temperature,
• ∂T
Vi ∂xi
is the convective rate of change of temperature.
∂T
Step 1: Compute the Gradient of Temperature ∂xi (1.5 Marks):
The temperature field is given as:

T (x, y, z, t) = xy + z + 3t
∂T
The components of the temperature gradient ∂xi in index form are:

∂T ∂T ∂T ∂T ∂T ∂T
= = y, = = x, = =1
∂x1 ∂x ∂x2 ∂y ∂x3 ∂z
Thus, the temperature gradient in index form is:

∂T
= (y, x, 1)
∂xi
At the point (x, y, z) = (2, −2, 1), the components of the gradient are:

Page 3
 ∂T
= (−2, 2, 1)
∂xi
∂T
Step 2: Compute the Local Rate of Change of Temperature ∂t (1 Mark):
The local rate of change of temperature is:

∂T
=3
∂t
∂T
Step 3: Compute the Convective Rate of Change Vi ∂xi
(1 Mark):
The velocity field is given as:

Vi = (xy, z, 5t)

At the point (x, y, z) = (2, −2, 1) and t = 2 s, the velocity components are:

Vi = (−4, 1, 10)

Now, compute the convective rate of change:

∂T
Vi = (−4)(−2) + (1)(2) + (10)(1)
∂xi

∂T
Vi = 8 + 2 + 10 = 20
∂xi
Step 4: Total Rate of Change of Temperature (0.5 Marks):
The total rate of change of temperature is:

dT ∂T ∂T
= + Vi = 3 + 20 = 23 K/s
dt ∂t ∂xi
Thus, the rate of change of temperature is 23 K/s.

4. A three-dimensional velocity field is given by (4)

u(x, y, z) = cx + 2w0 y + u0

v(x, y, z) = cy + v0
w(x, y, z) = −2cz + w0
where c, w0 , u0 , and v0 are constants. Find the components of:

1. Rotational velocity,
2. Vorticity, and
3. Strain rates for the above flow field.

Page 4
Write the expressions in index forms while solving.
Solution:
Step 1: Rotational Velocity
The rotational velocity components are given by:
1 ∂vk
Ωi = ϵijk
2 ∂xj

- For Ωx :  
1 ∂w ∂v
Ωx = − =0
2 ∂y ∂z

- For Ωy :  
1 ∂u ∂w
Ωy = − =0
2 ∂z ∂x

- For Ωz :  
1 ∂v ∂u
Ωz = − = −2w0
2 ∂x ∂y

Thus, the rotational velocity components are:

Ωx = 0, Ωy = 0, Ωz = −2w0

Step 2: Vorticity
The vorticity components are given by:
∂vk
ωi = ϵijk
∂xj

- For ωx :
∂w ∂v
ωx = − =0
∂y ∂z
- For ωy :
∂u ∂w
ωy = − =0
∂z ∂x
- For ωz :
∂v ∂u
ωz = − = −w0
∂x ∂y
Thus, the vorticity components are:

ωx = 0, ωy = 0, ωz = −w0

Step 3: Strain Rates

The strain rate tensor components are given by:
 
1 ∂vi ∂vj
ε̇ij = +
2 ∂xj ∂xi

Page 5
 - Normal strain rates:
∂u ∂v ∂w
ε̇xx = = c, ε̇yy = = c, ε̇zz = = −2c
∂x ∂y ∂z

- Shear strain rates:

 
1 ∂u ∂v
ε̇xy = + = 2w0 , ε̇yz = 0, ε̇xz = 0
2 ∂y ∂x

Thus, the strain rates are:

ε̇xx = c, ε̇yy = c, ε̇zz = −2c

ε̇xy = 2w0 , ε̇yz = 0, ε̇xz = 0

Final Answer:
ωx = ωy = 0, ωz = −w0
Ωx = Ωy = 0, Ωz = −2w0
ε̇xx = c, ε̇yy = c, ε̇zz = −2c
γ̇xy = 2w0 , γ̇yz = γ̇xz = 0

5. For a steady flow through a conical nozzle, the axial velocity is approximately given by (4)
 x −2
u = U0 1 −
L
where U0 is the entry velocity and L is the distance from the inlet plane to the apparent
vertex of the cone.
(i) Derive a general expression for the axial acceleration. (ii) Determine the acceleration at
x = 0 and x = 1.0 m if U0 = 5 m/s and L = 2 m. Write the expressions in index forms while
solving.
Solution:
(i) Deriving the General Expression for Axial Acceleration
Axial acceleration is given by:
du
ax = u .
dx
We are given:
 x −2
u(x) = U0 1 − .
L
Now, differentiate u(x) with respect to x:
 
du  x −3 1
= U0 · (−2) 1 − · − ,
dx L L
du 2U0  x −3
= 1− .
dx L L
Thus, the acceleration is:
du  x −2 2U0  x −3
ax = u = U0 1 − · 1− ,
dx L L L

Page 6
 2U02  x −5
ax = 1− .
L L
Therefore, the general expression for the axial acceleration is:

2U02  x −5
ax = 1− .
L L

(ii) Determining the Acceleration at Specific Points

We are given: U0 = 5 m/s, L = 2 m, x = 0 and x = 1.0 m.
At x = 0:
Substituting x = 0, U0 = 5 m/s, and L = 2 m:

2(5)2 0 −5 50 −5
 
ax = 1− = · 1 = 25 m/s2 .
2 2 2

At x = 1.0 m:
Substituting x = 1.0 m, U0 = 5 m/s, and L = 2 m:

1 −5 50
 −5
2(5)2
 
1
ax = 1− = · = 25 · 32 = 800 m/s2 .
2 2 2 2

Final Answer: - The general expression for axial acceleration is:

2U02  x −5
ax = 1− .
L L

- At x = 0, the acceleration is 25 m/s2 . - At x = 1.0 m, the acceleration is 800 m/s2 .

6. Compressed air is exhausting from a small hole in a rigid spherical tank at the mass flow (5)
rate ṁe , which is proportional to the density ρ of the air inside the tank (figure 2). The
tank has an initial density ρ0 and a uniform density throughout. The tank has a diameter
of 60 cm with an initial pressure of 400 kPa and temperature of 400 K. The initial exhaust
rate of air through the hole is 0.02 kg/s.

Figure 2: Compressed air exhaust from tank

Assume that the mass flow rate of air is directly proportional to the density of air in the
tank. Calculate the time required for the tank density to drop by 40%.
Problem:
Compressed air is exhausting from a small hole in a rigid spherical tank. The mass flow
rate ṁe is proportional to the density ρ of the air inside the tank. The tank has an initial

Page 7
pressure P0 = 400 kPa, temperature T0 = 400 K, and diameter 0.6 m. The initial mass flow
rate is ṁe = 0.02 kg/s. Calculate the time required for the density to drop by 40%.
Solution:

Step 1: Setting up the Differential Equation (1.5 marks)

We begin by using the mass conservation equation for a fixed control volume:
Z Z
∂
0= ρdV + ρ(V · n̂)dA
∂t CV CS

Since the tank is rigid, the volume Vtank does not change with time, and hence the equation
reduces to:

dρ
Vtank + ṁe = 0
dt
Given that ṁe ∝ ρ, we assume:

ṁe = kρ

where k is a proportionality constant. Substituting this into the equation:

dρ
Vtank + kρ = 0
dt
This is the differential equation governing the rate of change of density.

Step 2: Solving the Differential Equation (1 mark)

Rearranging the equation:

dρ k
=− dt
ρ Vtank
Integrating both sides:

ρ k
ln =− t
ρ0 Vtank
Exponentiating:
 
ρ k
= exp − t
ρ0 Vtank

This gives the density as a function of time.

Step 3: Calculate Initial Density ρ0 (0.5 marks)

Using the ideal gas law:

P0 = ρ0 RT0

Page 8
 where R = 287 J/kg-K is the specific gas constant for air. Substituting the known values:

400 × 103 = ρ0 × 287 × 400

Solving for ρ0 :

400 × 103
ρ0 = = 3.48 kg/m3
287 × 400

Step 4: Calculate Proportionality Constant k (0.5 marks)

We are given the initial mass flow rate ṁe = 0.02 kg/s. Using ṁe = kρ0 , we can solve for k:

0.02
k= = 0.005747 m3 /s
3.48

Step 5: Time for Density to Drop by 40% (1.5 marks)

We need to find the time when ρ = 0.6ρ0 . Substituting this into the equation:
 
0.005747
0.6 = exp − t
0.113

Taking the natural logarithm of both sides:

0.005747
ln(0.6) = − t
0.113
Solving for t:

− ln(0.6) × 0.113
t=
0.005747
Substituting ln(0.6) = −0.5108:

0.5108 × 0.113
t= = 18 seconds
0.005747

Final Answer:
The time required for the tank density to drop by 40% is 18 seconds .

7. Arya was observing a stream of liquid flowing from a pipe into the atmosphere. The fluid (5)
stream had a diameter d and a uniform velocity. To Arya’s surprise, at some distance
downstream, the stream broke up into spherical drops of diameter 2d, and these drops were
spaced a distance h apart.
Using this observation, calculate the ratio h/d, as shown in figure 3.

Solution:

Step 1: Mass Flow Rate of the Stream (1 mark)

Page 9
 Figure 3: Droplet formation from the pipe as observed by Arya

The mass flow rate ṁ of the stream is:

πd2
ṁ = ρ · A · v = ρ · ·v
4
πd2
where ρ is the density of the liquid, A = 4 is the cross-sectional area, and v is the velocity.

Step 2: Mass of Each Droplet (1 mark)

Each droplet is spherical with diameter 2d. The volume of each droplet is:

π 4πd3
Vdrop = · (2d)3 =
6 3
The mass of each droplet is:

4πd3
mdrop = ρ ·
3

Step 3: Number of Droplets per Unit Time (1 mark)

The number of droplets per second n is given by:

2 πd2
ṁ ρ · πd4 · v 4 ·v 3v
n= = 3 = 4πd3
=
mdrop ρ · 4πd
3 3
16d

Step 4: Relation Between h and n (1.5 marks)

The spacing h between the droplets is:

v
h=
n
3v
Substituting n = 16d :

v 16d
h= 3v =
16d
3

Step 5: Ratio h/d (0.5 mark)

h
The ratio d is:

Page 10
 h 16d 16
= =
d 3d 3

Final Answer:
h 16
The ratio d = 3 .

Page 11