FLUID MECHANICS (ME21201)

TUTORIAL 5

1. An idealized velocity field is given by the formula V= 4tx i -2t2 y j + 4xz k. Is this flow field steady or
unsteady? Is it two- or three dimensional? At the point (x, y, z) = (-1, 1, 0), compute the acceleration vector

(ANS: -4(1+4t2)i -4t(1-t3) j)

2. Flow through the converging nozzle in Fig.1 can be approximated by the one-dimensional velocity
distribution u = V0 (1+2x/L), v =0, w =0.

(a) Find a general expression for the fluid acceleration in the nozzle.

(b) For the specific case V0=10 ft/s and L=6 in, compute the acceleration, in g ’s, at the entrance and at the
exit. (ANS:400 ft/s2,1200 ft/s2)

Fig.1

3. The velocity field near a stagnation point may be written in the form u=U0 x/L, v=-Uoy/L, Uo and L are
constants.

(a) Show that the acceleration vector is purely radial.

(b) For the particular case L=1.5 m, if the acceleration at (x, y) = (1m, 1m) is 25 m/s2, what is the value of
U0? (ANS: 6.3 m/s)

4. When a valve is opened, fluid flows in the expansion duct of Fig. 2, according to the approximation

V = iU (1- x/2L) tanh(Ut/L)

Find:

(a) The fluid acceleration at (x, t) = (L, L/U) and (b) the time for which the fluid acceleration at x=L is zero.
Why does the fluid acceleration become negative after condition (b)? (ANS: (a)0.0650 U2/L (b)1.146)
 Fig. 2

5. An idealized incompressible flow has the proposed three-dimensional velocity distribution V=4xy2i + f(y)
j -zy2 k

Find the appropriate form of the function f(y) that satisfies the continuity relation. (ANS: f(y)=-y3+C)

6. For an incompressible plane flow in polar coordinates, we are given vr = r3 cosθ + r2 sinθ. Find the
appropriate form of circumferential velocity for which continuity is satisfied.

7. Consider the plane polar coordinate velocity distribution vr = C/r, vθ = K/r, vz = 0 where C and K are
constants. (a) Determine if the equation of continuity is satisfied.

8. A two-dimensional incompressible flow is given by the velocity field V = 3yi + 2xj, in arbitrary units. Does
this flow satisfy continuity? If so, find the stream function ψ(x, y) and plot a few streamlines, with arrows.

9. Consider the following two-dimensional incompressible flow, which clearly satisfies continuity: u =U0
=constant, υ = V0 = constant. Find the stream function ψ(r , θ) of this flow using polar coordinates.

(ANS: U0 sinθ - V0 cosθ + constant)

10. The velocity profile for pressure-driven laminar flow between parallel plates (see Fig. 3) has the form
u = C (h2 – y2), where C is a constant. (a) Determine if a stream function exists. (b) If so, find a formula for
the stream function. (ANS: ψ= C(h2y-y3/3) + constant)

Fig. 3
11. Determine the family of stream functions ψ that will yield the velocity field V̅ = 2y (2x + 1) î + [x(x+1)-
2y2] ĵ (ANS: ψ = y2+2xy2 - x2/2 -x3/3)

12. Consider a flow with velocity components u = z (3x2- z2), v = 0, and w = x (x2 - 3z2).

(a) Is this a one-, two-, or three-dimensional flow?

(b) Demonstrate whether this is an incompressible flow.

(c) If possible, derive a stream function for this flow (ANS: ψ = -x4/4 + 3/2 x2z2 -z4/4)

13. An incompressible stream function is defined by ψ(x, y) = U/L2 (3x2 y - y3 ) where U and L are (positive)
constants. Use this stream function to find the volume flow Q passing through the rectangular surface
whose corners are defined by (x, y, z) = (2L, 0, 0), (2L, 0, b), (0, L, b), and (0, L, 0). Show the direction of Q.

(ANS: ULb)

14. A two-dimensional incompressible flow fi eld is defined by the velocity components u = 2V (x/L – y/L), υ
= -2V y/L where V and L are constants. If they exist, find the stream function and velocity potential.

(ANS: ψ=V(2xy-y2)/L + constant)

15. Consider the two-dimensional incompressible velocity potential ϕ = xy + x2 – y2. (a) Is it true that ∆2ϕ
= 0, and, if so, what does this mean? (b) If it exists, find the stream function ψ(x ,y) of this flow. (c) Find
the equation of the streamline that passes through (x, y) = (2, 1). (ANS: ψ=1/2(y2-x2) + 2xy =5/2)

16. An incompressible stream function is given by ψ = aθ + brsinθ. (a) Does this flow have a velocity
potential? (b) If so, find it. (ANS: f=a ln(r) + br cosθ)

17. Consider the function f = ay - by3 (a) Could this represent a realistic velocity potential? Extra credit: (b)
Could it represent a stream function?

18. Consider the following two-dimensional function f(x , y): f = Ax3 + Bxy2 + Cx2 + D where A > 0

(a) Under what conditions, if any, on (A, B, C, D) can this function be a steady plane-flow velocity potential?

(b) If you find a ϕ(x, y) to satisfy part (a), also find the associated stream function ψ(x , y), if any, for this
flow. (ANS: ψ= 3Ax2y -Ay3 + constant)

19. An incompressible, irrotational, two-dimensional flow has the following stream function in polar
coordinates: ψ = A rnsin(nθ), where A and n are constants. Find an expression for the velocity potential of
this flow. (ANS: ϕ= Arn cos(nθ) + constant)

20. Given the following steady axisymmetric stream function: ψ = B/2 (r2 -r4/2R2) where B and R are
constants valid in the region 0 ≤ r ≤ R and 0 ≤ z ≤ L

(a) What are the dimensions of the constant B?

(b) Show whether this flow possesses a velocity potential, and, if so, find it. (c) What might this flow
represent? Hint: Examine the axial velocity vz.