Particle Acceleration

Tracking the particle as we follow it path:

VP@time t V ( x, y , z, t )

Particle

t+dt

Note: V(x,y,z,t) is the velocity field of the

entire flow, not the velocity of a particle.
As the particle moves, its velocity changes to
VP@time t dt V ( x dx, y dy , z dz, t dt )

The acceleration of a particle (substantial acceleration) is given by

dVP V V dxP V dy P V dz P
aP

dt
t
x dt
y dt
z dt

V
V
V
V
u
v
w
.
t
x
y
z

where u

dxP
dy
dz
, v P, w P
dt
dt
dt

Physical Interpretation
aP

DV
Dt

Total acceleration
of a particle

V
t
Local
acceleration

V
V
V
u
v
w
x
y
z
Convective acceleration

Unsteady flow

velocity

Steady flow

velocity
acceleration
time

Example
An incompressible, inviscid flow past a circular cylinder of diameter d is
shown below. The flow variation along the approaching stagnation streamline
(A-B) can be expressed as:

V ( x, y 0) u( x )i ,

R2
1
where u(x) U O (1 2 ) 1 2
x
x

x
u( x )

0 .5

R=1 m

0
5

UO=1 m/s

Along A-B streamline, the velocity drops very fast as the particle
approaches the cylinder. At the surface of the cylinder, the velocity is
zero (stagnation point) and the surface pressure is a maximum.

Example (cont.)
Determine the acceleration experienced by a particle as it flows along the
stagnation streamline.

DV V
V
a

u
0 0, since v w 0 along the stagnation streamline.
Dt
t
x
u
u
1 2
Therefore, a x
u , a y a z 0, a x (1 2 )( 3 ) for steady state flow
t
x
x x
0

a( x )

The particle slows down due to the

strong deceleration as it approaches the
cylinder.
The maximum deceleration occurs at
x=-1.29R=-1.29 m with a magnitude of
a(max)=-0.372(m/s2)

0 .2

0 .4 0 .4
5
5

2
x

0
1

Example (cont.)
Determine the pressure distribution along the streamline using Bernoullis
equation. Also determine the stagnation pressure at the stagnation point.

Bernoulli's equation:

u 2 ( x ) P U O2

P(x)

1 1

P( x ) Patm (U u ( x )) 1 1 2 2
2
2
x 2 x
P( x ) Patm
1
P( x )
2

2x
2
O

0.6

The pressure increases as the particle

approaches the stagnation point.
It reaches the maximum value of 0.5,
that is Pstag-P=(1/2)UO2 as u(x)0
near the stagnation point.

0.4
P ( x )
0.2

0
5

Momentum Conservation
From Newton' s second law : Force (mass)(acce leration)
Consider a small element xyz as shown below.

The element experiences an acceleration

V
DV
V
V
V
m
( x y z )
u
v
w

Dt

as it is under the action of various forces:

normal stresses, shear stresses, and gravitational force.

z

yx

y x z
yx
y

xx y z
yx x z

xx

x
xx
y z
x

Momentum Balance (cont.)

Net force acting along the x-direction:
yx
xx
zx
x y z
x y z
x y z g x x y z
x
x
x
Normal stress

Shear stresses (note: zx: shear stress

acting on surfaces perpendicular to
the z-axis, not shown in previous
slide)

Body force

The differential momentum equation along the x-direction is

xx yx zx
u
u
u
u

gx u
v
w
x
x
x
x
y
z
t
similar equations can be derived along the y & z directions

Eulers Equations
For an inviscid flow, the shear stresses are zero and the normal stresses
are simply the pressure: 0 for all shear stresses, xx yy zz P
u
P
u
u
u

gx u
v
w
x
x
y
z
t
Similar equations for y & z directions can be derived
v
P
v
v
v

gy u v
w
y
x
y
z
t
w
P
w
w
w

gz
u
v
w

Note: Integration of the Eulers equations along a streamline will give rise to the
Bernoullis equation.

Navier and Stokes Equations

For a viscous flow, the relationships between the normal/shear stresses and the
rate of deformation (velocity field variation) can be determined by making a
simple assumption. That is, the stresses are linearly related to the rate of
deformation (Newtonian fluid). (see chapter 5-4.3) The proportional constant for
the relation is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid (m). Based on this, Navier and
Stokes derived the famous Navier-Stokes equations:

2u 2u 2u
u
u
u
u
P
u v w
gx m 2 2 2
x
y
z
x
y
z
t
x
2v 2v 2v
v
v
v
v
P
u v w
gy m 2 2 2
x
y
z
y
y
z
t
x
2w 2w 2w
w
w
w
w
P

u
v
w

gz m 2 2 2

x
y
z
z
y
z
t
x