Basic Fluid Dynamics

Momentum
P = mv

Viscosity

Resistance to flow; momentum diffusion

Low viscosity: Air
High viscosity: Honey
Kinematic viscosity

Reynolds Number
The Reynolds Number (Re) is a non-dimensional
number that reflects the balance between viscous and
inertial forces and hence relates to flow instability (i.e.,
the onset of turbulence)
Re = v L/
L is a characteristic length in the system
Dominance of viscous force leads to laminar flow (low
velocity, high viscosity, confined fluid)
Dominance of inertial force leads to turbulent flow (high
velocity, low viscosity, unconfined fluid)

Poiseuille Flow
In a slit or pipe, the velocities at the walls are 0
(no-slip boundaries) and the velocity reaches its
maximum in the middle
The velocity profile in a slit is parabolic and
given by:

G 2
2
u( x )
(a x )
2

u(x)

G can be gravitational acceleration or

(linear) pressure gradient (Pin Pout)/L
x=0

x=a

Poiseuille Flow

S.GOKALTUN
Florida International University

Entry Length Effects

Tritton, D.J. Physical Fluid Dynamics, 2nd Ed. Oxford

University Press, Oxford. 519 pp.

Re << 1 (Stokes Flow)

Tritton, D.J. Physical Fluid Dynamics, 2nd Ed. Oxford

University Press, Oxford. 519 pp.

Eddies and Cylinder Wakes

Re = 30
Re = 40
Re = 47
Re = 55
Re = 67
Re = 100
Re = 41

Tritton, D.J. Physical Fluid Dynamics, 2nd Ed. Oxford

University Press, Oxford. 519 pp.

Eddies and Cylinder Wakes

S.Gokaltun

Florida International University

Streamlines for flow around a circular cylinder at 9 Re 10.(g=0.00001, L=300 lu, D=100 lu)

Eddies and Cylinder Wakes

S.Gokaltun

Florida International University

Streamlines for flow around a circular cylinder at 40 Re 50.(g=0.0001, L=300 lu, D=100 lu)
(Photograph by Sadatoshi Taneda. Taneda 1956a, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn., 11, 302-307.)

Separation

Tritton, D.J. Physical Fluid Dynamics, 2nd Ed. Oxford

University Press, Oxford. 519 pp.

Laplace Law
There is a pressure difference between the
inside and outside of bubbles and drops
The pressure is always higher on the inside
of a bubble or drop (concave side) just as
in a balloon
The pressure difference depends on the
radius of curvature and the surface tension
for the fluid pair of interest: P = /r

Laplace Law
P = /r = P/r,

which is linear in 1/r (a.k.a. curvature)

r
Pin

Pout

Young-Laplace Law
With solid surfaces, in addition to the fluid1/fluid2
interface where the interaction is given by the
interfacial tension -- we have interfaces
between each fluid and the surface S1and S2
Often one of the fluids preferentially wets the
surface
This phenomenon is captured by the contact
angle
cos = (S2 - S1

Young-Laplace Law
Zero contact angle means perfect wetting;
P = cos /r