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AERODYNAMICS-I QUESTION BANK (AE8401)
UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO LOW SPEED FLOW

Euler equation, incompressible bernoulli’s equation. circulation and vorticity, green’s lemma and
stoke’s theorem, barotropic flow, kelvin’s theorem, streamline, stream function, irrotational flow,
potential function, equipontential lines, elementary flows and their combinations.
PART-A
1. What is a fluid? And what are the two abundant fluids on earth most useful?
(Nov/Dec 2013)
Fluid may be defined as a substance which is capable of flowing. It has no
Definite shape of its own, but confirms to the shape of the containing vessel. Two
abundant fluids: water (liquid) and air(gas)
2. Distinguish between ideal and real fluid.(May/June 2013,2010)
S.No Ideal fluid Real fluid
1 Incompressible compressible
Also referred to as inviscid

2 Viscous in nature
(zero viscosity ) fluid
Certain amount of resistance is
No resistance is encountered as
3 always offered by these fluids as
the fluid moves
they move
3. What are the applications of Bernoulli’s equation in aerodynamics? (Nov/Dec

2012)
1. In measuring the velocity of an incompressible fluid through the use of Pitot static tube
2. In measuring the velocity of an incompressible fluid through the use Venturimeter
and orificemeter.
4. Define gradient of pressure. (Nov/Dec 2012)
The gradient of pressure, P, i.e., P at a given point in space is defined a vector such that:
1.Its magnitude is the maximum rate of change of P per unit length of the coordinate
space at the given point
Prepared by S.MANIKANDAN A.P/AERO/JEC

2. Its direction is that of the maximum rate of change of P at the given point.
5. Differentiate between substantial derivative and local derivative. (May/June2012)
D/Dt= ∂/∂t + (V. ∇)T = ∂T/∂t + u.∂T/∂x + v.∂T/∂y + w.∂T/∂z The term D/Dt is the
substantial derivative which is physically the time rate of change following a moving fluid
element. The term ∂/∂t is the local derivative, which is physically the time rate of change at a
fixed point. The substantial derivative applies to any flow-field variable.

6. What is meant by continuum hypothesis? (Nov/Dec 2010)

Consider the flow over a body, say, for example, a circular cylinder of diameter d.
Also, consider the fluid to consist of individual molecules, which are moving about in random
motion. The mean distance that a molecule travels between collisions with neighboring
molecules is defined as mean-free path λ. If λ is orders of magnitude smaller than the scale of
the body measured by d, then, the flow appears to the body as a continuous substance. The
molecules impact the body surface so frequently that the body cannot distinguish individual
molecular collisions and the surface feels the fluid as a continuous medium. Such a flow is
called as a continuum flow. The assumptions involved while deriving the continuity,
momentum and energy equation is that the fluid is a continuum.
7. Write the continuity equation in Cartesian co-ordinates for an unsteady,
compressible 3-D flow. (Nov/Dec 2010)
The continuity equation in integral form and differential form are;
8. Define compressibility. (April/May 2010)
Compressibility of a fluid is, basically, a measure of the change in density that will be produced
in the fluid by a specified change in pressure. Also, Compressibility is the fractional change in
volume of the fluid element per unit change in pressure.

9. What are the assumptions involved in deriving Bernoulli’s equation?

The assumptions involved are:
1. The flow is incompressible and inviscid
2. Flow is steady
3. Body forces are neglected
4. Flow is a continuum
5. Flow is adiabatic and irrotational
10. Sketch the fluid pattern over bluff bodies and stream line bodies with brief
explanation.
Streamlined body
Bluff body

A streamlined body is that body whose surface coincides with the streamlines when the body is
held in the flow. In such a body, separation takes place at the trailing edge of the body.
Separation takes place at the rearmost point and the wake formation is very small. Hence,
pressure drag is very less. A body is said to be a bluff body if its surface does not coincide
with the streamlines. Separation takes place much ahead of the trailing edge and there is a
bigger wake region. Pressure drag is much higher in this case.
11. What is the basic principle involved in the derivation of general momentum
equation in fluid mechanics?
The general momentum equation is derived on the basis of Newton’s second law, that is, Force
= time rate of change of momentum
12. Write down the energy equation.
13. Explain steady and unsteady flows.

If the flow field variables such as density, pressure, velocity, temperature are dependent on
time, the flow is said to be unsteady, i.e., P = P (t), ρ = ρ (t), T = T (t).
If the flow field variables such as density, pressure, velocity, temperature are independent on
time, the flow is said to be steady. P ≠ P (t), ρ ≠ ρ (t), T ≠ T (t).
14. What are the forces can be experienced by the flowing of fluid on a system
1. Body forces like gravity,electromagnetic forces(or)any other forces which act at a distance
on a fluid inside volume.
2. Surface forces like pressure and shear stress acting on the control surface S.
15. What is mean by stream lining a body?
Stream lining in a fluid flow to minimize the drag due to skin fiction by providing the body
such a boundary which permits a gradual divergence of flow with no separation of boundary
layer.
16. Define mechanics?
Mechanics Is the oldest physical science that deals with both stationery and moving boundaries under the
influence of forces. The branch of the mechanics that deals with bodies at rest is called statics while the
branch that deals with bodies in motion is called dynamics .
17. Explain the concept of continuum.
Fluids are aggregations of molecules; widely spaced for a gas and closely spaced for liquids. Distance
between the molecules is very large compared to the molecular diameter. The number of molecules involved
is immense and the separation between them is normally negligible. Under these conditions, fluid can be
treated as continuum and the properties at any point can be treated as bulk behavior of the fluids.
18. Differentiate between primary and secondary dimensions.

A dimension is the measure by which a physical variable is expressed quantitatively and the unit is a
particular way of attaching a number to the quantities of dimension. All the properties of fluid are assigned
with certain unit and dimension. Some basic dimensions such as mass (M), length (L), time (T) and
temperature (θ) are selected as Primary/Fundamental dimensions/unit. While others such as velocity, volume
is expressed in terms of primary dimensions and is called as secondary/derived dimensions/unit. In this
particular course, SI (Standard International) system of units and dimension will be followed to express the
properties of fluid.
19. What are the properties of fluids?

Any characteristic of a system is called property. It may either be intensive (mass independent) or extensive
(that depends on size of system). The state of a system is described by its properties. The number of
properties required to fix the state of the system is given by state postulates.
20. Define viscosity.

When two solid bodies in contact, move relative to each other, a friction force develops at the contact
surface in the direction opposite to motion. The situation is similar when a fluid moves relative to a solid or
when two fluids move relative to each other. The property that represents the internal resistance of a fluid to
motion (i.e. fluidity) is called as viscosity.
21. What are the types of fluids?
1. Ideal fluid
2. Real fluid
3. Newtonion fluid
4. Non Newtonion fluid
22. What do you mean by compressibility?
Coefficient of compressibility/Bulk modulus: It is the property of that fluid that represents the variation of
density with pressure at constant temperature.
23. Explain about specific heat.

It is the amount of energy required for a unit mass of a fluid for unit rise in temperature. Since the pressure,
temperature and density of a gas are interrelated, the amount of heat required to raise the temperature from
depends on whether the gas is allowed to expand during the process so that the energy supplied is used in
doing the work instead of raising the temperature. For a given gas, two specific heats are defined
corresponding to the two extreme conditions of constant volume and constant pressure. 12toTT
(a) Specific heat at constant volume (cv)
(b) Specific heat at constant pressure (cp)

24. Define Speed of sound
Speed of sound : An important consequence of compressibility of the fluid is that the disturbances
introduced at some point in the fluid propagate at finite velocity. The velocity at which these disturbances
propagate is known as “acoustic velocity/speed of sound”.
25. Define vapour pressure.

It is defined as the pressure exerted by its vapour in phase equilibrium with its liquid at a given temperature.
For a pure substance, it is same as the saturation pressure.
26. What do you mean by cavitation?

In a fluid motion, if the pressure at some location is lower than the vapour pressure, bubbles start forming.
This phenomenon is called as cavitation because they form cavities in the liquid.
27 .Explain about surface tension.

When a liquid and gas or two immiscible liquids are in contact, an unbalanced force is developed at the
interface stretched over the entire fluid mass. The intensity of molecular attraction per unit length along any
line in the surface is called as surface tension. For example, in a spherical liquid droplet of radius, the
pressure difference between the inside and outside surface of the droplet .
28. Differentiate between Compressible and Incompressible flow

The flow is said to be ‘incompressible’ if the density remains nearly constant throughout. When the density
variation during a flow is more than 5% then it is treated as ‘compressible’. This corresponds to a flow Mach
number of 0.3 at room temperature.
29. How the Laminar flow will differ from Turbulent flow?
The highly ordered fluid motion characterized by smooth layers of fluid is called ‘Laminar Flow’, e.g. flow
of highly viscous fluids at low velocities. The fluid motion that typically occurs at high velocities is
characterized by velocity fluctuations are called as ‘turbulent.’ The flow that alternates between being
laminar & turbulent is called ‘transitional’. The dimensionless number i.e. Reynolds number is the key
parameter that determines whether the flow is laminar or turbulent.
30. Distinguish between Steady and Unsteady flow.
When there is no change in fluid property at point with time, then it implies as steady flow. However, the
fluid property at a point can also vary with time which means the flow is unsteady/transient. The term
‘periodic’ refers to the kind of unsteady flows in which the flow oscillates about a steady mean.
31. Define isolines.

Consider a two-dimensional pressure field in cartesian space. The solid curves are lines of constant
pressure (i.e., they connect points in the pressure field which have the same value of p). Such lines are
called isolines.
32. Define stokes theorem.
33. Define divergence theorem
34. Define gradient theorem

35. Write down the fundamental physical principles that are deeply entrenched in macroscopic
observations of nature
a. Mass is conserved (i.e., mass can be neither created nor destroyed).

b. Newton’s second law: force = mass × acceleration.
c. Energy is conserved; it can only change from one form to another.
36. Explain control volume .

Consider a general flow field as represented by the streamlines. Let us imagine a closed volume drawn within a
finite region of the flow. This volume defines a control volume V
37. Explain control surface.

Control surface S is defined as the closed surface which bounds the control volume.
38. Explain Infinitesimal Fluid Element Approach

Consider a general flow field as represented by the streamlines . Let us imagine an infinitesimally small fluid
element in the flow, with a differential volume dV. The fluid element is infinitesimal in the same sense as
differential calculus; however, it is large enough to contain a huge number of molecules so that it can be
viewed as a continuous medium. The fluid element may be fixed in space with the fluid moving through it, .
Alternatively, it may be moving along a streamline with velocity V equal to the flow velocity at each point.
Again, instead of looking at the whole flow field at once, the fundamental physical principles are applied to
just the fluid element itself.
39. Explain Infinitesimal Fluid Element Approach

In actuality, of course, the motion of a fluid is a ramification of the mean motion of its atoms and molecules.
Therefore, a third model of the flow can be a microscopic approach wherein the fundamental laws of nature
are applied directly to the atoms and molecules, using suitable statistical averaging to define the resulting
fluid properties. This approach is in the purview of kinetic theory, which is a very elegant method with many
advantages in the long run.
40. Describe divergence of velocity.

It states that ∇ ・V is physically the time rate of change of the volume of a moving fluid element, per
unit volume.
41. Write down the equation for normal force coefficient.
42. Write down the equation for axial force coefficient.
43. Write down the equation for pitching moment coefficient.

44. Write down the equation for lift and drag force coefficient.
45. List out the criteria for two or more flows to be dynamically similar
1. The bodies and any other solid boundaries must be geometrically similar.
2. The similarity parameters must be the same. Two important similarity parameters are Mach
number M = V/a and Reynolds number Re = ρVc/μ.
46. Describe stalling velocity.
47. Write down the Hydrostatic equation.
it is a differential equation which relates the change in pressure dp in a fluid with a change in
vertical height dy.
48. Define continuum flow

The molecules impact the body surface so frequently that the body cannot distinguish the
individual molecular collisions, and the surface feels the fluid as a continuous medium. Such
flow is called continuum flow.
49. Define pressure drag

When the flow separates from the surface, it dramatically changes the pressure distribution
over the surface resulting in a large increase in drag called pressure drag.
50. Compare the Laminar flow and Turbulent flow.
1. Laminar flow, in which the streamlines are smooth and regular and a fluid element moves
smoothly along a streamline.
2. Turbulent flow, in which the streamlines break up and a fluid element moves in a random,
irregular, and tortuous fashion.
PART-B &C
1. Derive continuity equation for a general fluid flow. (Nov/Dec 2013) or Derive
continuity equation in integral form(Nov/Dec 2012)
Answer: Refer Page: 119 – 121, in “Fundamentals of Aerodynamics”, by John D
Anderson Jr , Fourth edition.
2. Derive momentum equation useful for this course. (Nov/Dec 2013)
3. i) Derive the momentum equation and state the assumptions. (May/June 2013)

ii) Derive the Bernoulli’s equation and state the assumptions made in deriving.
(APR/MAY 2018) Answer: Refer Page: 195–196 , in “Fundamentals of
Aerodynamics”, by John D Anderson Jr , Fourth edition.
4. Explain the drag of a two dimensional body using momentum equation. (Nov/Dec
2012)
5. (i) Derive the continuity equation in polar co-ordinates for 2-D incompressible steady
flow. (Nov/Dec 2010)
Answer: Refer page no: 168-170 in “Fluid Mechanics and Machinery”, by Dr.
R.K.Bansal.
(ii) Explain how Euler’s equations of motion, the Bernoulli’s equation and the
hydrostatic equation can be inferred from the Navier- Stokes equations. (APR/MAY
2018)
R.K.Bansal.
6. Derive the 2-D momentum equations for incompressible flows and deduce the steady
Euler equations. (16) (2012, 2010)
Answer:Refer pages 122 – 127, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
Aerodynamics, Fourth edition.
7. Derive the 3-D momentum equation and state its assumptions (16) (2009

Answer: Refer pages 122 – 127, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of

8 . Consider the boundary layer velocity profile is given as u/ v =y/θ0.25 .is the flow rotational or
irrotational? (NOV/DEC 2017)
Answer:Refer : c l a s s n o t e s
9 . Consider an airfoil at 12◦ angle of attack. The normal and axial force coefficients are 1.2 and 0.03,
respectively. Calculate the lift and drag coefficients.
Answer: Refer page .no. 99, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
Aerodynamics, Fourth edition
10. The drag on the hull of a ship depends in part on the height of the water waves produced by the
hull. The potential energy associated with these waves therefore depends on the acceleration of
gravity g. Hence, we can state that the wave drag on the hull is D = f (ρ∞, V∞, c, g) where c is a
length scale associated with the hull, say, the maximum width of the hull. Define the drag coefficient
as CD ≡ D/q∞c2. Also, define a similarity parameter called the Froude number, Fr = V/√gc. Using
Buckingham’s pi theorem, prove that CD = f (Fr).
Answer: Refer page .no. 99, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics,
Fourth edition.
11. Consider a flat plate at zero angle of attack in a hypersonic flow at Mach 10 at standard sea level
conditions. At a point 0.5 m downstream from the leading edge, the local shear stress at the wall is
282 N/m2. The gas temperature at the wall is equal to standard sea level temperature. At this
point, calculate the velocity gradient at the wall normal to the wall. Answer: Refer page .no. 101,
John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition
12. Consider a Boeing 747 airliner cruising at a velocity of 550 mi/h at a standard altitude of
38,000 ft, where the freestream pressure and temperature are 432.6 lb/ft2 and 390◦R,
respectively. A one-fiftieth scale model of the 747 is tested in a wind tunnel where the
temperature is 430◦R. Calculate the required velocity and pressure of the test airstream in the
wind tunnel such that the lift and drag coefficients measured for the wind-tunnel model are the
same as for free flight. Assume that both μ and a are proportional to T 1/2. Answer: Refer
page .no. 43, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition
13. Consider an executive jet transport patterned after the Cessna 560 Citation V The airplane is
cruising at a velocity of 492 mph at an altitude of 33,000 ft, where the ambient air density is
7.9656×10−4 slug/ft3. The weight and wing planform areas of the airplane are 15,000 lb and
342.6 ft2, respectively. The drag coefficient at cruise is 0.015. Calculate the lift coefficient and
the lift-to-drag ratio at cruise. Answer: Refer page .no. 51, John D Anderson Jr.,
Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition.
14. Consider a low-speed subsonic wind tunnel with a 12/1 contraction ratio for the nozzle. If the
flow in the test section is at standard sea level conditions with a velocity of 50 m/s, calculate the
height difference in a U-tube mercury manometer with one side connected to the nozzle inlet
and the other to the test section.
Answer: Refer page .no. 221, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics,
Fourth edition.

15. The flow velocity in the test section of a low-speed subsonic wind tunnel is 100 mph. The
test section is vented to the atmosphere, where atmospheric pressure is 1.01 × 105 N/m2.
The air density in the flow is the standard sea-level value of 1.23 kg/m3. The contraction ratio of
the nozzle is 10-to-1. Calculate the reservoir
pressure in atmospheres. Answer: Refer page .no. 222, John D Anderson Jr.,
UNIT II TWO DIMENSIONAL INVISCID INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW

Ideal Flow over a circular cylinder, D’Alembert’s paradox, magnus effect, Kutta joukowski’s theorem,
starting vortex, kutta condition, real flow over smooth and rough cylinder.
PART-A
1. What is meant by complex potential (or function)? (Nov/Dec 2013,

May/June2013, 2012)
If stream function ‘φ’ and potential function ‘ψ’ combined in a single function
‘w’ such that w (z) =φ+iψ then w(z) is called complex potential.
2. What is meant by D’Alembert’s paradox? (May/June2013,2012) (APR/MAY 2018)
Applying inviscid theory to the flow around a cylinder, we find that the streamline
pattern around the cylinder is symmetrical along both the axis. As a result, the pressure
distribution over the top of the cylinder is exactly balanced by that over the bottom over the
cylinder, i.e., there is no net lift. Similarly, the pressure distribution over the front of the
cylinder is exactly balanced by that over the back of the cylinder, i.e., there is no net drag.
However, we know that in real life if a body is immersed in a flow, drag is generated. This
paradox between the theoretical result of zero drag and the knowledge that in real life, the drag
is finite is known as d’Alembert’s paradox.
3. What is the condition for irrotationality? (May/June2013)
In a vector field, the curl of the velocity is equal to the vorticity1. If XV 0 at every point
in the flow field, the flow is rotational.If the flow is irrotational, ξ = 0.
4. Define doublet. Give the streamline for doublet. (Nov/Dec 2012) or What is
doublet? (Nov/Dec 2010) (May/June 2016)
Consider a source and sink of strengths Λ and –Λ respectively, separated from
each other by a finite distance l.

5. Define stream function and streamline. (Nov/Dec 2010, April/May 2010) (APR/MAY
2018)
A streamline is a curve whose tangent at any point is in the direction of the velocity vector at
that point. The streamlines are drawn such that their tangents at every point along the
streamline are in the same direction as the velocity vectors at those points. If the flow is
unsteady, the streamline pattern is different at different times because the velocity vectors are
fluctuating with time in both magnitude and direction. Stream function, Ψ is a scalar quantity,
the differential of which gives the velocity components along the x and y coordinates;
Consider a two-dimensional steady flow. The stream function Ψ is defined such that Ψ (x,y)
= constant is the equation of a streamline and the difference in the stream function between two
streamlines ∆ Ψ is equal to the mass flow between the streamline.
6. Distinguish between free vortex and forced vortex. (Nov/Dec 2010). (May/June 2016)
FREE VORTEX FORCED VORTEX
A flow field circular stream lines with A flow is which each fluid particle evers
absolute value of velocity varying in a circular path with speed varying
inversely with the distance from centre. directly as the distance from the axis of
The flow is irrotational at every point rotation.
except of the centre.
7. Define vorticity. (April/May 2010)

Consider an infinitesimal fluid element moving in a flow field. As it translates
along streamline, it may also rotate, and in addition its shape may also become
distorted due to the finite angular velocity. The angular velocity of the fluid element
in three dimensional space can be expressed as:Vorticity is simply twice the angular
velocity, denoted by ξ, where, ξ = 2ω.ξ = 2ω
8. What is a pathline?

Consider an infinitesimal fluid element moving through the flow field, same element A.
Element A passes through point 1. Let us trace the path of element A as it moves downstream
from path1. This is the pathline for element A. Now, if the flow is unsteady, the pathline for
element B (which also crosses point 1) will not be the same as element A. However, if the flow
is steady, both the pathlines will be the same.
9. How are streamlines and velocity potential lines related to each other? Prove it.
(NOV/DEC 2017)
10. Sketch the flow pattern around a spinning cylinder when Г = 0 and Г = 4ПRV∞
We have for the lifting flow over a circular cylinder,In order to locate the stagnation points,
from equation 1, we have r = R. Substituting this inequation 2 and also, substituting the value of
Г, we get the location of the stagnation points for both the cases.
For the case of Г = 0, we get, Vθ = -2V∞ sinθ. From this, it can be seen that there are
2 stagnation points at θ = 0o and 180o. This is the same case as the nonlifting flow over a
circular cylinder. This is portrayed on the left side of the picture below.
For the case of Г = 4ПRV∞, substituting the value of Г in equation 2 and solving for
θ, we find that there is only one stagnation point for this case. This occurs at θ = 270o
Г = 4ПRV∞,
11. What is meant by Magnus Effect? (May/June2013, April/May 2010) (May/June 2017) (APR/MAY
2018)
The Magnus effect is a phenomenon by which a spinning object flying through a fluid creates a
whirlpool of fluid around itself and experiences a force perpendicular to the line of motion.When
a body is moving in a fluid, it creates a boundary around itself and the boundary layer induces a
more widespread circular motion of the fluid. The friction between the fluid and the surface of
the cylinder tends to drag the fluid near the surface in the same direction as the rotational
motion. Superimposed on top of the spinning flow, this extra velocity contribution creates a
higher than usual velocity at the top of the cylinder and a lower than usual velocity at the bottom.
Hence, the pressure on the top is lower than on the bottom. This pressure imbalance creates a net
force in a direction perpendicular to the line of motion. This is known as Magnus effect.
12. Define circulation.
The circulation is simply the negative of the line integral of velocity around a closed curve in
the flow; it is a kinematic property depending only on the velocity field and the choice of
the curve, C. If the flow is irrotational everywhere within the contour of integration, circulation
is zero.
13. What type of flow can be described by Laplace’s equation?
Flow that is irrotational and incompressible can be defined by Laplace’s equation.
14. State pascal law.
The term ‘pressure’ is used to indicate the normal force per unit area at a point acting on a given plane
within the fluid mass of interest. It is governed by Pascal’s law which states that the pressure at a point
in a fluid at rest or in motion is independent of direction as long as there is no shearing stress present.
15. Define control volume.

A control volume is a volume or region in space whose identity is not same as fluid can enter
and leave through the control surface which encloses this volume (Fig. 2.1.2-b). The shape and
size of the control volume may be fixed or can change depending upon the choice of coordinate
system used to analyze the flow situation. Here, the Eulerian variables are more suitable for
analysis of flow field.
16. Explain conservation of mass.

Conservation of mass: There are two ways to define mass namely, inertial mass and
gravitational mass. The first one uses Newton’s second law for definition whereas the second
one uses Newton’s law of gravitation. In both the cases, numerical value for mass is the
same. If this numerical value does not change when the system undergoes a change, then it is
treated as “conservation of mass”. In fluid flow situation, if one chooses a system of fluid
particles, then the identity remains the same by definition of system and hence the mass for a
system is constant. It does not matter whether any chemical reaction/heating or any other
process is taking place within the system. Mathematically, it is represented as the time rate of
change of mass of a system is zero.
17. Define first law of thermodynamics.

This law is nothing but the energy conservation law which states that energy can neither be created
nor be destroyed but, can be changed from one form to another. If is the heat exchange with the
system, is the work done by the system and is the change in energy of the system, then they are
related by the following expressions for a closed system.
18. State and explain Bernoulli Equation. (NOV/DEC 2017)

Bernoulli Equation
Ignoring the frictional losses in steady flow energy equations, one can obtain the precise relation of
pressure, velocity and elevation. This equation is called as Bernoulli equation developed in the year
1755. This equation is very famous and widely used with lot of restrictions. In general, all fluids are
viscous and flows are associated with certain component of friction. In order to use Bernoulli
equation correctly, one must confine the regions of flow which are nearly frictionless
19. Explain the Concept of Material Derivative (NOV/DEC 2017)
The time and space derivative applied to any fluid property can be represented in mathematical
form and called as substantial/ material/total time derivative. The Lagrangian frame follows the
moving position of individual particles while the coordinate systems are fixed in space, in case of
Eulerian frame of reference and hence, it is commonly used. Let us illustrate the concept of material
derivative through velocity field. In Eulerian system, the Cartesian form of velocity vector field.
20. Explain the boundary layer.

A boundary layer is an important concept and refers to the layer of fluid in the immediate
vicinity of a bounding surface where the effects of viscosity are significant.
21.Define time line.

Timeline: A ‘timeline’ is a set of fluid particles that form a line at a given instant (Fig. 3.1.1-a).
Thus, it is marked at same instant of time. Subsequent observations of the line provide the
information of the flow field. They are particularly useful in situations where uniformity of flow is
to be examined.
22. Define path line with its significance.

Pathline: It is the actual path traversed by a given fluid particle as it flows from one point to
another (Fig. 3.1.1-b). Thus, the pathline is a Lagrangian concept that can be produced in the
laboratory by marking the fluid particle and taking time exposure photograph of its motion.
Pathlines can be calculated numerically for a known velocity field 
23. Define streak line with its significance.

Streakline: A streakline consists of all particles in a flow that has previously passed through a
common point (Fig. 3.1.1-c). Here, the attention is focused to a fixed point in space (i.e. Eulerian
approach) and identifying all fluid particles passing through that point. These lines are laboratory
tool rather than analytical tool. They are obtained by taking instantaneous photographs of selected
particles that have passed through a given location in the flow field.
24.Describe the potential theory,

In a plane irrotaional flow, one can use either velocity potential or stream function to define the
flow field and both must satisfy Laplace equation. Moreover, the analysis of this equation is much
easier than direct approach of fully viscous Navier-Stokes equations. Since the Laplace equation is
linear, various solutions can be added to obtain other solutions. Thus, if we have certain basic
solutions, then they can be combined to obtain complicated and interesting solutions. The analysis
of such flow field solutions of Laplace equation is termed as potential theory.
25.Draw the boundary conditions of streamlinedbody.
26.Define uniform flow.
The simplest type of elementary flow for which the streamlines are straight, parallel with constant
velocity, is known as uniform flow. Consider a uniform flow in positive x-direction as shown in Fig.
27. Define vortex flow. (May/June 2017)

Three types of elementary flows (uniform flow, source/sink flow and doublet flow) have been discussed
earlier. Now, the last elementary flow will be introduced called as vortex flow.
28.What does it mean by method of superposition?

In an inviscid flow field, a streamline can be considered as a solid boundary because there is no flow
through it. Moreover, the conditions along the sold boundary and the streamline are the same. Hence, the
combinations of velocity potential and stream functions of elementary flows will lead to a particular body
shape that can be interpreted as flow around that body. The method of solving such potential flew problems is
commonly called as, method of superposition.
29 .How can you obtain the non-lifting flow over the circular cylinder? (NOV/DEC 2017)
30. Plot the pressure coefficients at different positions of cylinder.
31. Describe Kelvin circulation theorem. (APR/MAY 2018)

Kelvin's circulation theorem states In a barotropic ideal fluid with conservative body forces,
the circulation around a closed curve (which encloses the same fluid elements) moving with the fluid
remains constant with time.] :
32. Define pressure coefficient
33. Define stream line

A streamline is a curve whose tangent at any point is in the direction of the velocity vector at that
point.
34. Write down the equation for CP fo non-lifting flow over the circular cylinder
35. How can you obtain the stream lined pattern for non-lifting flow over the circular
cylinder?
36. Sketch the doublet.
37. Write down the equation of stream function for doublet flow.
38. Write down the equation of equipotential function for doublet flow.
39. Define doublet.

There is a special, degenerate case of a source-sink pair that leads to a singularity called a doublet.
The doublet is frequently used in the theory of incompressible flow.
40. Obtain flow over a Rankine oval

41. Obtain flow over a semi-infinite body.
42. In low-speed, incompressible flow, the following experimental data are obtained for an
NACA 4412 airfoil section at an angle of attack of 4◦: cl = 0.85 and cm,c/4 = −0.09.
Calculate the location of the center of pressure.
43. Define singular point.

For a source flow, ∇.V = 0 everywhere except at the origin, where it is infinite. Thus, the origin
is a singular point, and we can interpret this singular point as a discrete source or sink of a
given strength, with a corresponding induced flow field about the point.
44. Draw the streamline pattern for source flow.
45. Draw the streamline pattern for sink flow.

46. Write down the equation of stream function and velocity potential function for
uniform flow.
47. Define source strength

˄ defines the source strength, it is physically the rate of volume flow from the source, per unit
depth perpendicular to the page
48. Write down the equation of stream function for a doublet flow.
49. Draw the streamline pattern for doublet flow.
50. Draw the streamline pattern for lifting flow over a circular cylinder.
PART-B &C
1. Define all the planar flow concepts and mathematical formulation along with their
units. (Nov/Dec 2013)
Answer: Refer class notes.
2. Draw pressure distributions over different types of objects, fluid boundaries and along the
flow itself for chosen situations. (Nov/Dec 2013) (APR/MAY 2018)
3. (i) Define the terms velocity potential, circulation and vorticity. (May/June 2013)
(ii) Derive an expression for stream function and velocity potential function for a vortex
flow. (NOV/DEC 2017)
Answer: Refer pages 162, 155,169, 245-248, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
4. (i) Find the velocity potential, velocity distribution and location of stagnation points for
the combination of a source, a sink and free stream. (May/June 2013)
(ii) A 90 kg paratrooper jumps out of an airplane. If the chute diameter is 6m,
calculate his sinking descent speed (take drag coefficient of parachute is 1.2)
Answer: Pages 999-1000, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth
edition.
5.Write the velocity potential for the combined doublet and free stream. ii. Calculate"
the velocity distribution that is due to this velocity potential. iii. Find the stagnation points
along the x axis. iv.What kind of flow is described by φ?
Answer: Page 286, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition.
6. Show that the combination of doublet flow and the uniform flow is equivalent to a non-
lifting over a cylinder. Obtain the expression for velocity potential function and stream
function for the combination. (Nov/Dec 2012)
Answer: Pages 239 – 244, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics,
Fourth edition.
7. (i) What is Rankine oval? What combination of flows is required to obtain the oval?
(Nov/Dec 2012) (or) What is Rankine oval? What combination of flows is required to
obtain the oval? Obtain the equation of Rankine oval and draw a neat sketch showing
Rankine oval and few streamlines (10) (2012, 2010, 2005) (May/June 2016)
Fourth edition. (MAY/JUNE 2017)
(ii) The X and Y velocity components of a fluid flow are given by
u=2xy+4y+6x and v=3y+2x2+6xy Is the flow irrotational?
Is it a physically possible flow? (NOV/DEC 2017)

8. (i) Define the terms velocity potential, circulation and vorticity. Describe how you can
relate these terms. (May/June 2012)
(ii) Derive an expression for stream function and velocity potential function for
aflow over the semi oval body. (May/June 2016)
Answer: pages 162, 155,169, 245-248, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
9. (i) With aid of suitable sketches explain the real flow over circular cylinder.
(May/June 2012)
(ii) A source with strength 0.2 m3/s per meter and a vortex with strength 1m3/s are
located at the origin. Determine the equation for velocity potential and stream
function. What are the velocity components at x=1 m and y= 0.5 m?
Answer: Pages 249 – 256, 229 – 233, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
10. (i) From fundamentals derive the relationship between the velocity components and
stream function in 2-D flows.
Answer: Pages 171 -172, 154 – 155, 168 – 169, John D Anderson Jr.,
11. If the x and y component of velocity of a fluid flow are given by u = x3-3xy2 and v =
y3-3x2 y, find out whether the flow is rotational or irrotational (6) (2010, 2005, 2004)

Fourth edition.
12. (i) Explain a doublet and derive the expression for stream function describing a
doublet (APR/MAY 2018)
(ii) Discuss the flow pattern around a circular cylinder as given by a doublet in a
uniform horizontal flow (10) (2010, 2009, 2006)
13. Show that the combination of a doublet flow and uniform flow is equivalent to a non-
lifting flow over a cylinder. Obtain the expression for velocity potential function and
stream function for the combination
(OR)
Discuss the flow pattern around a circular cylinder as given by a doublet in uniform
horizontal flow
(OR)
Obtain the stagnation points for the flow over a non-lifting circular cylinder by
combining elementary flows (16) (2012, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2004) (May/June
2017) (NOV/DEC 2017)
Answer: Refer notes (or) Pages 239 – 244, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals
of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition.
14. Explain vortex flow with all the characteristics and derive stream function (6) (2009,
2006, 2004)

Fourth edition.
15. Define circulation and illustrate the flow around an airfoil for various circulation
strengths (8)
Answer: Page 162 – 164, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics,
Fourth edition.
16. In a two-dimensional flow, the fluids velocity components are u = x – 4y and v = - y –

4x. Show that the flow satisfies the continuity equation and obtain the expression for
the stream function. If the flow is potential, obtain also the expression for the velocity
potential (10)
Answer: Pages 117 – 122, 168, 170, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
17. Define the strength of a point source. Obtain the expressions for stream function and
velocity potential function (8) (2004)
Answer: Pages 229-233, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics,
Fourth edition.
18. State the condition for irrotationality of two-dimensional flow and prove that stream
function and velocity potential exist in 2-D irrotational flows (10) (2010)
Answer: Page 156, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics,
Fourth edition.
19. Derive the necessary equations for a source kept in uniform flow and obtain the
expressions for the following: (16) (2010)
(i) Distance of the stagnation point from the source
(ii) Maximum height of the half body
(iii) Sketch the body and the flow pattern
Fourth edition. (May/June 2017)
20. From fundamentals, derive the relation between velocity components and stream
function in 2D flows. Also, derive the relation between velocity components and
velocity potential function in 2D flows. (7) (2010, 2006)
Fourth edition.
21. Calculate peak negative pressure coefficient, location of the stagnation points and the
points on the cylinder where the pressure equals the freestream static pressure for
lifting flows over a circular cylinder. The lift coefficient is 5. (16) (2011, 2009)
Fourth edition.
22. Briefly explain D’ Alembert’s paradox and Magnus effect (8) (2011, 2010, 2006)
Answer: pages 242, 255-256, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
23. (i) Starting with the definition of circulation, derive Kelvin’s circulation theorem (6)
(ii) Show that streamlines and equipotential lines are mutually perpendicular (5)
(iii) The lift on a spinning circular cylinder in a freestream with a velocity of 30 m/s
and at standard sea level conditions is 6 N/m of span. Calculate the circulation around
the cylinder. (OR) A circular drum of 1 m diameter and 3 m height is spinning in
standard sea-level air flowing at 10 m/s. For a lift of 1500 N, estimate the rpm of the
drum (8) (2012, 2010) (May/June 2017) (NOV/DEC 2017)
Answer: pages 162, 317-319, 171-172, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
UNIT III AIRFOIL THEORY

Cauchy-riemann relations, complex potential, methodology of conformal transformation, kutta joukowski
transformation and its applications, thin airfoil theory and its applications.
PART-A
1. What is the importance of Kutta condition? (May/June2013) (May/June 2017)

The statement of Kutta condition is as follows:
1) For a given airfoil at a given angle of attack, the value of Γ around the airfoil is such that
the flow leaves the trailing edge smoothly.
2) If the trailing edge is finite, then the trailing edge is a stagnation point.
3) If the trailing edge is cusped, then the velocities leaving the top and bottom surfaces at
the trailing edge are finite and equal in magnitude and direction.
2. Explain lift in an aerofoil with respect to Kutta Joukowshi’s theorem. (Nov/Dec

2012) or What is Kutta-Joukoushi theorem? (Nov/Dec 2010) (May/June 2016)
Let curve A be any curve in the flow enclosing the airfoil. If the airfoil is producing lift,
the velocity field around the airfoil will be such that the line integral of velocity around
A will be finite, that is, circulation is finite. The lift per unit span L’ on the airfoil will
be given by Kutta-Joukowski theorem. The Kutta-Joukowski theorem states that the lift
per unit span on a two- dimensional body is directly proportional to the circulation
around the body.
3. What is a horse shoe vortex?
Any vortex filament which is bound to a fixed location in a flow is called as bound vortex.
Replace the finite wing by a bound vortex along its span. Since a vortex filament cannot end in
a fluid, we assume the bound vortex continues as two free vortices trailing downstream from
the wing tips to infinity. Since this vortex is in the shape of a horse shoe it is called as horse
shoe vortex.
4. Describe any two important characteristics of vortex flows.
Vortex flow is irrotational everywhere except at the origin where the velocity is infinite.The
velocity along the circular streamline is constant and the velocity along the radial direction is
zero.
5. What is transformation?
A transformation is a mathematical process by which a figure may be distorted or
altered in size and shape. This is done by means of algebraic relationship between the original
coordinates and co-ordinates of new position, the pair of coordinates being represented by
complex variables.
6. State Blasius theorem for 2D incompressible, irrotational flow.
This provides a general method of determining the resultant force and moment exerted
by a fluid in steady, 2- dimensional flow past a cylinder of any cross- section, provided, that
the complex potential w= f(z) for the flow pattern is known. If x and y components of the
resultant force being Px and Py and moments of the resultant force about origin Mz.
7. Explain graphically about the lifting flow over circular cylinder.
8. What are the possible locations of stagnation points on lifting flow over the cylinder?
9. State the importance of magnus effect.

The general idea of generation of lift for a spinning circular cylinder can be extended to sphere.
Here, non-symmetric flows are generated due to spinning of bodies in all dimensions. It leads to
the generation of aerodynamic force perpendicular to the body’s angular velocity vector. This
phenomenon is called as Magnus effect. The typical examples include the spinning of three-
dimensional object such as soccer, tennis and golf balls where the side force is experienced.
10. What is conformal transformation?

The transformation is said to be conformal if small elements of area are unaltered in shapes
though they are in general altered in size, position and orientation.
11. What do you understand from conformal transformation?
The subject of conformal transformation is the study of methods whereby an orthogonal
geometric pattern composed of certain shaped elements can be transformed into an entirely
different pattern whilst the element retain their distinctive form and position.
12. What is the main drawback of joukowski transformation? (May/June 2017)

The airfoils described from the circles of the joukowski transformation are known as
joukowski airfoils, they all suffer from an important practical defect , in that the trailing edge are
always cusped i.e. the trailing edge angle is zero.
13. Define modified joukowski transformation.

The modified joukowski transformation applied to the same circles as in joukowski
transformation ,gives transformed curves which are similar with previous one, but having finite
trailing edge angles, ƛ = K(2-n).
14. Say some examples of modified joukowski transformation.

1. Applied to the circle[Z]=a, a biconvex airfoil.
2. applied to the circle whose center is on the positive Y axis ,the cambered airfoil.
3. applied to the circle whose center is on the positive X axis, the round shaped symmetrical
airfoil.
15.State kelvin’s circulation theorem.
Theorem due to kelvin’s , it follows the circulation, and hence the vortex strength does not
vary with time, under certain conditions.
16. What are all the conditions of kelvin’s circulation theorem.

1. The Fluid Is Non-Viscous.
2. Its density is either constant or a function of pressure only
3. The body forces are derivable from a single valuable potential.
17. State the condition to transform the circle into straight line.
Consider the transformation equation, £=z+b2/z
In this substitute r=a=b,where a=radius of circle.also the center of circle must be at the origin.
18. What are all the basic concepts in an aerodynamic heating?

1. Adiabatic wall temperature,
2. Recovery factor.
3. Reynolds analogy.
19. State Blasius solution or Blasius equation.

This equation can be obtained from the incompressible , two-Dimensional flow over the flat
plate.
2f’’’+f f’’ =0
20. What is compressibility effect?
Compressibility effects are such as to make boundary-layer solutions a function of Mach
number , prantl number, and wall-to- free stream temperature ratio. Generally compressibility
effect reduces Cf and increases boundary layer thickness.
21. How can you relate stanton number and skin friction coefficient as a function of
distance from the stagnation point on Hyperbloid?
1.The shear stress is zero at the stagnation point, then it increases around the nose, reaches a
maximum, and decreases further downstream.
2.The values of CH are relatively constant near the nose, and the decreases further
downstream.
22. Is it possible to solve the turbulent flow by using the basic aerodynamic equations?
No, When the continuity, momentum, and energy equations are used to solve turbulent flow,
some type of turbulence model must be used. In the eddy viscosity concept , the viscosity
coefficient and thermal conductivity in these equations must be the sum of molecular and
turbulent values.
23. What are the selection criteria to select the effective airfoil?
1. It should provide high L/D ratio.
2. It should provide low CD/CL ratio.
3. It should have high camper.
24. What is the effect of sweep angle in flight performance?

The greater value of swept angle in an airplane reduces the critical mach number to avoid the
shock induced separation.so for each aircraft there is a specific value of swept angle. But high
swept wings reduces the lift coefficient.
25. Name some important high lift devices used in an aircraft .

To increase the lift coefficient beyond the maximum value at stall point some of the
additional devices such as flaps and /or leading edge slats have been used. These devices are
called high lift devices.
26. Define critical Mach number.

The free stream Mach number at which the local Mach number becomes transonic and/or
supersonic is called critical Mach number.
27. What is an effective angle of attack?

The angle of actually seen by the local airfoil section is the angle between the chord line and
the local relative wind is effective angle of attack. Hence, although the wing is at a geometric
angle of attack α ,the local airfoil section is seeing a smaller angle, namely ,
α eff =α- αi
28. Define Induced Drag. (May/June 2017)
The local lift vector is aligned perpendicular to the relative wind, and hence is inclined
behind the vertical by the angle α .Consequently, there is a component of the local lift vector in
the direction of free stream velocity; that is the drag created by the presence of downwash, this
Drag is defined as Induced drag.
29. State the conditions of Helmholtz theorem. (May/June 2017) (NOV/DEC 2017)
1. The strength of a vortex filament is constant along its length.
2. A vortex filament can not end in a fluid; it must extended to the boundaries of the fluid or
form a closed path.
30. Define Aerodynamic twist. (NOV/DEC 2017)

The wings on a number of modern airplanes have different airfoil sections along the span,
with different values of α L=0 .This is called Aerodynamic Twist.
31. Write the applications of kutta-joukowski’s theorem (APR/MAY 2018)

The Kutta–Joukowski theorem is a fundamental theorem in aerodynamics used for the calculation
of lift of an airfoil and any two-dimensional bodies including circular cylinders translating in a
uniform fluid at a constant speed large enough so that the flow seen in the body-fixed frame is steady
and unseparated. The theorem relates the lift generated by an airfoil to the speed of the airfoil through
the fluid, the density of the fluid and the circulation around the airfoil.
32. Sketch the Circulation around a lifting airfoil
33. What is source sheet?

we have an infinite number of such line sources side by side, where the strength of each line
source is infinitesimally small. These side-by-sideline sources form a source sheet.
34. Sketch the source sheet.
35. What is the required cylinder diameter in order to have Re = 1?
36. How do you calculate the velocity of an incompressible flow.
37. Write the governing equation for both irrotational, incompressible flow
38. Sketch the Airfoil nomenclature.
39. Explain the symmetric airfoil

An airfoil with no camber, that is, with the camber line and chord line coincident, is called a
symmetric airfoil. Clearly, the shape of a symmetric airfoil is the same above and below the
chord line. For example, the NACA 0012 airfoil is a symmetric airfoil with a maximum thickness
of 12 percent.
40. Explain the NACA “five-digit” series.

The second family of NACA airfoils was the “five-digit” series, such as the NACA 23012 airfoil.
Here, the first digit when multiplied by 3 2 gives the design lift coefficient1 in tenths, the next two
digits when divided by 2 give the location of maximum camber along the chord from the leading
edge in hundredths of chord, and the final two digits give the maximum thickness in hundredths of
chord. For the NACA 23012 airfoil, the design lift coefficient is 0.3, the location of maximum camber
is at 0.15c, and the airfoil has 12 percent maximum thickness.
41. Explain the NACA “six-digit” series

One of the most widely used family of NACA airfoils is the “6-series” laminar flow airfoils,
developed during World War II. An example is the NACA 65-218. Here, the first digit simply
identifies the series, the second gives the location of minimum pressure in tenths of chord from
the leading edge (for the basic symmetric thickness distribution at zero lift), the third digit is the
design lift coefficient in tenths, and the last two digits give the maximum thickness in
hundredths of chord. For the NACA 65-218 airfoil, the 6 is the series designation, the minimum
pressure occurs at 0.5c for the basic symmetric thickness distribution at zero lift, the design lift
coefficient is 0.2, and the airfoil is 18 percent thick.
42. Define design lift coefficient

The design lift coefficient is the theoretical lift coefficient for the airfoil when the angle of attack
is such that the slope of the mean camber line at the leading edge is parallel to the freestream
velocity.
43. Define the infinite wing

The flow“sees” a wing without wing tips—a so-called infinite wing, which theoretically stretches
to infinity along the span (in the y direction). Because the airfoil section is the same at any
spanwise location along the infinite wing, the properties of the airfoil and the infinite wing are
identical.
44. Draw lift-coefficient variation with angle of attack for an airfoil.
PART-B
45. Sketch Airfoil as a solid body, with zero velocity inside the profile.
46. Write down the kutta condition.
47. Show Different possible shapes of the trailing edge and their relation to the Kutta
condition
48. Explain starting vortex.

High vorticity region is fixed to the same fluid elements, and consequently it is flushed downstream as
the fluid elements begin to move downstream from the trailing edge. As it moves downstream, this thin
sheet of intense vorticity is unstable, and it tends to roll up and form a picture similar to a point vortex.
This vortex is called the starting vortex.
49. Draw the sketch for the Determination of the component of freestream velocity normal
to the camber line.
50. Write the the fundamental equation of thin airfoil

theory
PART-B &C
1.State and establish kutta-joukowski’s theorem. (Nov/Dec 2013) (OR) Derive Kutta-
Joukowshi theorem. (May/June 2013) or Derive the Kutta Joukowshi’s equation for a lifting
flow over a circular cylinder. (Nov/Dec 2012) (May/June 2016) (May/June 2017)
Answer: Pages 249 – 255, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth
edition.
2. State Blasius theorem and derive the expression for the lift using Blasius theorem.
(May/June2013), (May/June 2012)
3. Explain Kutta condition (6) (Nov, May 2010, 2006, 2005)
Answer: Pages 312 – 316, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth
edition.
4. Derive Blasius theorem for an incompressible flow over a flat plate. Conclude the
Blasius equation in terms of stream function. (Nov/Dec 2012) (OR)
State and explain Blasius theorem for a steady 2D irrotational flow. Derive the
expression for lift using Blasius theorem. (OR)
Show that the hydrodynamic forces on an arbitrary object placed in an irrotational,
incompressible flow can be found from the theory of complex potential function as given
below 2
dZ , where Ω is complex potential function. This is also known as
Blasius theorem for forces

5.Derive the joukowski transformation of circular cylinder into symmetric airfoil. (APR/MAY
2018)
Answer: Refer class notes.(May/June 2017)
6. Derive the joukowski transformation of circular arc into cambered airfoil.

Answer: Refer class notes
7. Obtain an expression for the t/c of a symmetric airfoil section from a circle of radius b by
using the joukowski transformation. (May/June 2017)
8. Transform the straight lines,parallel to the X-axis in the physical plane,with the
transformation function λ=1/z (Nov/Dec 2017)
9. Consider the lifting flow over a circular cylinder. The lift coefficient is 5. Calculate the peak
(negative) pressure coefficient. Answer: Pages 277, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
10. Calculate the location of the stagnation points and the points on the cylinder where the
pressure equals freestream static pressure. Answer: Pages 278, John D Anderson Jr.,
11. Consider the lifting flow over a circular cylinder with a diameter of 0.5 m. The freestream
velocity is 25 m/s, and the maximum velocity on the surface of the cylinder is 75 m/s. The
freestream conditions are those for a standard altitude of 3 km. Calculate the lift per unit span
on the cylinder. Answer: Pages 279, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics,
Fourth edition.
12. Consider the velocity field given by u = y/(x2 + y2) and v = −x/(x2 + y2). Calculate the equation of
the streamline passing through the point (0, 5).
Answer: Pages 162, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition.
13. For the NACA 2412 airfoil at the conditions given in Example 4.1, calculate the strength of
the steady-state starting vortex.
Answer: Pages 337, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition
14. Consider a thin flat plate at 5 deg. angle of attack. Calculate the: (a) lift coefficient, (b) moment
coefficient about the leading edge, (c) moment coefficient about the quarterchord point, and (d) moment
coefficient about the trailing edge.
15. Consider an NACA 23012 airfoil. The mean camber line for this airfoil is given by
Calculate (a) the angle of attack at zero lift, (b) the lift coefficient when α = 4◦, (c) the moment
coefficient about the quarter chord, and (d) the location of the center of pressure in terms of
xcp/c, when α = 4◦.
UNIT IV SUBSONIC WING THEORY

Vortex filament, biot and savart law, bound vortex and trailing vortex, horse shoe vortex, lifting line
theory and its limitations.
PART-A
1. State Biot- Savart law. (Nov/Dec 2013, May/June 2012) (May/June 2017) (Nov/dec
2017)
Consider a vortex filament. The filament induces a flow field in the surrounding space. If the
circulation is taken along any path enclosing the filament, a constant value of Γ is obtained.
Hence, the strength of the vortex filament is defined as Γ.Consider a directed segment of the
filament dl. The radius vector from dl to an arbitrary point P in space is r. The segment dl
induces a velocity at P equal toThis is known as Biot -Savart’s law.
2. Define wash in (May/June2013)
Most of the wings are geometrically twisted so that the angle of attack is different at different
span wise locations, the so called geometric twist. If the tip is at a higher angle of attack than
the root, the wing is said to be wash in.
3. What are the limitations of lifting line theory? (May/June2013,Nov/Dec 2012,

2010) (APR/MAY 2018)
1) Flow is inviscid
2) Flow is incompressible
4. What are the applications of thin aerofoil theory? (Nov/Dec 2012)
With the help of thin airfoil theory, the expressions for Cl, lift curve slope, coefficient of
moment, location of centre of pressure and aerodynamic centre can be found for flat plates,
thin symmetrical and cambered airfoil at small angles of attack.
5. Sketch the Schematic of wing-tip vortices. (May/June 2012)
6. What are the basic assumptions in thin airfoil theory? (April/May 2010) (May/June
2016)
The basic assumptions involved in thin airfoil theory are:
1) Airfoil is thin and is at small angles of attack
2) The airfoil can be simulated by a vortex sheet placed along the camber line.
3) The kutta condition is satisfied at the trailing edge
4) Since the camber line is very close to the chord line, we can replace the chord line by the
vortex sheet
7. Describe the horse shoe vortex (APR/MAY 2018)
The physical mechanism of generating lift on the wing is the existence of a high pressure on
the bottom and lower pressure on the upper surface of the wings. Since there is a pressure
difference at the wing tips, the higher pressure tries to leak to the upper surface of the wing at
the tips. This flow establishes a circulatory motion that trails downstream of the wing, that is,
a trailing vortex is created at each wing tip. The effect of generation of trailing vortices is to
induce a downwash and thereby resulting in induced drag
8. Define vortex line. (April/May 2010) (APR/MAY 2018)

Consider a flow where all the streamlines are concentric circles about a given point as shown
in the figure. Let the velocity along any given circular streamline be constant, but let it vary
from one streamline to another inversely with distance from the common center. Such a flow
is known as Vortex flow.Now, imagine a straight line perpendicular to the page which
extends to infinity both out of and into the page, which contains point vortex at each and
every point of the straight line considered. Such a straight line is known as Vortex line.
9. State Helmholtz-vortex theorems. (May/June 2016)
1) The strength of a vortex filament is constant along its length.
2) A vortex filament cannot end in a fluid; it must extend to the boundaries of the fluid (which
can be ±∞) or form a closed path.
10. What is meant by geometric twist of a wing? How it differs from aerodynamic
twist.
A small twist is given to the wing so that a at different span wise stations are
different. This is called geometric twist. The wings of modern aircraft have different aerofoil
sections along the span with values of zero lift angle. This is called aerodynamic twist
of wing.
11. Why the lift over the span is not uniform.
Geometric twist causes angle of incidence (variation from root to tip of wing). The wings of
airplanes have different aerofoil sections along span with different zero lift incidence
(aerodynamic twist). As a result of this, lift per unit span is also different at various locations
from centre. Therefore there is a distribution of lift per unit span along the wing.
12. Point out the application of horseshoe vortex analysis on aerodynamics.
1. Prandtls lifting line and lifting surface theory of wings.
2. Interference problems of aircraft flying together.
3. On ground effect of aircrafts flying very close to ground.
4. Influence of wing down wash field on flow over other components of aircrafts,
especially the total plane.
5. Interference in wind tunnel.
13. State Kelvin’s circulation theorem.(Nov/Dec 2017) (APR/MAY 2018)
Circulation and hence vortex strength, does not vary with time if (i) the fluid is non-viscous
(ii) the density is either constant or a function of pressure only (iii) body forces such
as gravity or magnetic force are single valued potential.
14. Why a thin aerofoil is considered in subsonic flows?
The necessity of minimizing the induced drag leads to the choice of high aspect ratio
for the wing design at subsonic condition. Hence thin aerofoil is preferred. With such
narrow wings the flow can be approximated to two- dimension of flow around a infinitely
long cylindrical wing of same section profile.
15. What are the sources for aerodynamic forces and moments?
1. pressure distribution over the body surface.
2. shear stress distribution over the body surface.
16. Define center of pressure. (Nov/Dec 2017)
It is defined as that the resultant forces should be located on the body such that it produces
the same effect as the distributed loads. It can’t be said as aerodynamic center exactly.
17. Define aerodynamic center.
It is a point where pitching moment coefficient is zero ant it is independent of angle of attack.
For symmetric airfoil it is located at quarter chord point.
18. What do you mean by Reynolds number?
It is the dimensionless number which is the ratio between inertia force and viscous force.
19. What are the criteria to ensure two flows are dynamically similar?
1. The bodies and any other solid boundaries are geometrically similar for both flows.
2. The similarity parameters are similar for both flows.
20. Define Hydrostatic equation.
dP=-gp dy
It is differential equation which relates the change in pressure dP in a fluid with a change in
vertical height dy.
21. What is buoyancy force?
When a solid body immersed in a fluid will experience a force even if there is no relative
motion between the body and fluid. This force is termed as Buyoncy force.
22. What do you mean by mean free path?
The mean distance travels between the collisions with neighboring molecules is defined as
mean free path. It is always denoted by ƛ.
23.What are the basic types of viscous flow?
1. Laminar flow: in which the stream lines are smooth and regular and a fluid element moves
smoothly along a streamline.
2. Turbulent flow: in which the streamlines braek up and a fluid element moves in a random
,irregular, and tortuous fashion.
24. Differentiate streamlined body from blunt body.

Blunt body: a body where most of the drag is pressure drag
Streamlined body: a body where most of the drag is skin friction drag.
25. What is effect of increasing the Mach number on Drag coefficient of an Airplane?
Mach number is directly proportional to the drag coefficient. The lift is zero when the
airplane is at a small negative angle of attack ,then CD is called the Zero-lift drag.
26. Define isolines.
The solid curves are lines of constant pressure (i.e., they connect points in the pressure field
which have the value of pressure. such lines are called isolines.
27. How do we visualize the squishy substance in order to apply the three fundamental
physical principle to it?
1. Finite control volume approach.
2. Infinitesimal fluid element approach.
3. Molecular approach.
28. How the vortex sheet will be formed?

Consider an infinite number of straight vortex filaments side by side, where the strength of
each filament is infinitesimally small. These side-by-side vortex filaments form a vortex sheet.
29.What is starting vortex?

When the fluid element moves downstream, the thin sheet of intense vorticity is unstable,
and it tends to roll up and form a picture similar to point vortex. This vortex is called starting
vortex.
30. What do you understand from thin airfoil theory? (May/june 2017)
1. CL = 2πα
2. Lift slope = 2π
3. The center of pressure and aerodynamic center are both located at the quarter chord point.
31. Describe the trailing vortex system of wings. (April/May 2010)
The physical mechanism of generating lift on the wing is the existence of a high pressure on
the bottom and lower pressure on the upper surface of the wings. Since there is a pressure
difference at the wing tips, the higher pressure tries to leak to the upper surface of the wing at
the tips. This flow establishes a circulatory motion that trails downstream of the wing, that is,
a trailing vortex is created at each wing tip. The effect of generation of trailing vortices is to
induce a downwash and thereby resulting in induced drag.
32. Define washout. (May/June2013)

If the tip is at a lower angle of attack than the root, the wing is said to have washout. If the tip
is at a higher angle of attack than the root, the wing is said to be wash in.
33. Explain wing-tip vortices
The tendency for the flow to “leak” around the wing tips has another important effect on the
aerodynamics of the wing. This flow establishes a circulatory motion that trails downstream of
the wing; that is, a trailing vortex is created at each wing tip. The tip vortices are essentially
weak “tornadoes” that trail downstream of the finite wing.
34. What do you mean by Downwash?
The two vortices tend to drag the surrounding air around with them, and this secondary
movement induces a small velocity component in the downward direction at the wing. This
downward component is called downwash, denoted by the symbol w.
35. What is the effect of Downwash?

The downwash combines with the freestream velocity V∞ to produce a local relative wind
which is canted downward in the vicinity of each airfoil section of the wing.
36. What is geometric angle of attack?

The angle between the chord line and the direction of V∞ is the angle of attack αand as used. We
now more precisely define α as the geometric angle of attack.
37. Show the Effect of downwash on the local flow over a local airfoil section of a finite
wing
38. Define effective angle of attack.

The angle of attack actually seen by the local airfoil section is the angle between the chord line and
the local relative wind. This angle is given by αeff and is defined as the effective angle of attack.
Hence, although the wing is at a geometric angle of attack α, the local airfoil section is seeing a
smaller angle, namely, the effective angle of attack αeff. αeff = α − αi
39. Explain induced drag.

The local lift vector is aligned perpendicular to the local relative wind, and hence is inclined behind the
vertical by the angle αi ,. Consequently, there is a component of the local lift vector in the direction of
V∞; that is, there is a drag created by the presence of downwash. This drag is defined as induced drag,
denoted by Di.
40. Write down the equation for the induced drag.
41. Write down the equation for Biot-Savart law

42.
43. Show the Velocity induced at point P by an infinite, straight vortex filament
schematically.
44. Show the Velocity induced at point P by a semi-infinite straight vortex filament
45. Sketch the lift distribution along the span of a wing.
46. What is horseshoe vortex?

The vortex (the bound plus the two free) is in the shape of a horseshoe, and therefore is called
a horseshoe vortex.
47. Draw the single horseshoe vortex.
48. Define lifting line.

Instead of representing the wing by a single horseshoe vortex, let us superimpose a large
number of horseshoe vortices, each with a different length of the bound vortex, but with all the
bound vortices coincident along a single line, called the lifting line.
49. Write down the equation for induced angle of attack.
50. Write down the fundamental equation of Prandtl’s lifting-line theory

PART-B &C
1. By using Kutta-Khukovsky transformation, transform a circle into symmetrical

aerofoil profile and also find the thickness to chord ratio. (May/June 2013) (May/June 2016)
Answer: Refer class notes
2. (i) A wing with an elliptical planform and an elliptical lift distribution has an aspect ratio
of 6 and a span of 12 m. The wing loading is 900 N/m2 when flying at a speed of
150 km/hr at sea level. Compute the induced drag for this wing. (May/June 2013) (ii)
Derive the basic governing equation of thin aerofoil theory.
edition.
3. (i) State biot savart law and derive an expression for the velocity induced bu an
infinite vortex filament at a point, which is at a distance n from the filament. (APR/MAY 2018)
Answer: Refer notes (or) Pages 400-403, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
Aerodynamics, Fourth edition. (May/June 2016)
4. What are Karman-trefftz and Von-Misses airfoils? Explain your answers with neat
sketch?
5. Derive Prandtl’s lifting line theory. (Nov/Dec 2012) (APR/MAY 2018) (OR)
State and prove lifting line theory. What are its limitations?(Nov/Dec 2013). (Or) Derive
Prandtl’s lifting line theory and obtain an expression for induced drag coefficient for
elliptical lift distribution. What are the limitations of lifting line theory? (16) (Nov, May
2012, 2011, Nov/May 2010, 2009, Nov/May 2006, 2005, 2004) (May/June 2016)
(May/june 2017) Answer: Pages 404 – 409, 410 – 412, John D Anderson Jr.,
Fundamentals ofAerodynamics, Fourth edition. 6. A thin aerofoil has a cubic camber
line defined by z=kc(x3-3x2+2x) Cartesian set of axis system with its origin at the leading
edge. Its maximum camber is 2% of the chord. Determine Cl and Cm.c/4 at 3°
incidence.(May/June 2012) (May/June 2016)
Answer: Refer notes (or) Pages 334 – 336, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
7. (i) For a wing with elliptic span wise circulation, show that the downwash and
induced angle of attack are constant along the span. (May/June 2012) (May/june 2017)
(APR/MAY 2018)
(ii) Explain the term Kutta -Joukowski transformation and hence demonstrate that it is possible
to transform a circle into a flat plate and an ellipse.
8. Explain the pressure distribution over an aerofoil and derive the equation for
coefficient of lift. Sketch the pressure distribution over an aerofoil for different angles of attack
Aerodynamics, Fourth edition, Refer notes.
9. Consider a finite wing with an aspect ratio of 8 and a taper ratio of 0.8. The airfoil section is
thin and symmetric. Calculate the lift and induced drag coefficients for the wing when it is at an
angle of attack of 5◦. Assume that δ = τ. Answer: Pages 445-446,John D Anderson
Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition, Refer notes.
10. Consider a rectangular wing with an aspect ratio of 6, an induced drag factor δ = 0.055,and a zero-
lift angle of attack of −2◦. At an angle of attack of 3.4◦, the induced drag coefficient for this wing is 0.01.
Calculate the induced drag coefficient for a similar wing (a rectangular wing with the same airfoil
section) at the same angle of attack, but with an aspect ratio of 10. Assume that the induced factors for
drag and the lift slope, δ and τ , respectively, are equal to each other (i.e., δ = τ ). Also, for AR = 10, δ =
0.105.
Answer: Pages 445-446,John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth
edition, Refer notes.
11. Consider the twin-jet executive transport discussed in Example 1.6. In addition to the
information given in Example 1.6, for this airplane the zero-lift angle of attack is −2◦, the lift
slope of the airfoil section is 0.1 per degree, the lift efficiency factor τ = 0.04, and the wing
aspect ratio is 7.96. At the cruising condition treated in Example 1.6, calculate the angle of
attack of the airplane.
Answer: Pages 447John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth
12. The Beechcraft Baron 58 flying such that the wing is at a 4-degree angle of attack. The
wing of this airplane has an NACA 23015 airfoil at the root, tapering to a 23010 airfoil at the tip.
The data for the NACA 23015 airfoil is given in Figure 5.2. In the Preview Box, we teased you
by reading from Figure 5.2 the airfoil lift and drag coefficients at α = 4◦, namely, cl = 0.54
and cd = 0.0068, and posed the question: Are the lift and drag coefficients of the wing the
same values, that is, CL = 0.54 and CD = 0.0068 Consider the wing of the
Beechcraft Baron 58 at a 4-degree angle of attack. The wing has an aspect ratio of 7.61 and a
taper ratio of 0.45. Calculate CL and CD for the wing.
Answer: Pages 448 John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth
13. The measured lift slope for the NACA 23012 airfoil is 0.1080 degree−1, and αL=0 = −1.3◦.
Consider a finite wing using this airfoil, with AR = 8 and taper ratio = 0.8. Assume that δ = τ
. Calculate the lift and induced drag coefficients for this wing at a geometric angle of attack =7◦.
Answer: Pages 484, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth
14. Consider a vortex filament of strength Ŵ in the shape of a closed circular loop of radius R.
Obtain an expression for the velocity induced at the center of the loop in terms of Ŵ and R.
15. Consider the airplane and flight conditions given in Problem 5.4. The span efficiency factor
e for the complete airplane is generally much less than that for the finite wing alone. Assume e
= 0.64. Calculate the induced drag for the airplane The Piper Cherokee (a light, single-engine
general aviation aircraft) has a wing area of 170 ft2 and a wing span of 32 ft. Its maximum
gross weight is 2450 lb. The wing uses an NACA 65-415 airfoil, which has a lift slope of 0.1033
degree−1 and αL=0 = −3◦. Assume τ = 0.12. If the airplane is cruising at 120 mi/h at
standard sea level at its maximum gross weight and is in straight-and-level flight.
UNIT V INTRODUCTION TO BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY

Boundary layer and boundary layer thickness, displacement thickness, momentum thickness, energy
thickness, shape parameter, boundary layer equations for a steady, two dimensional incompressible
flow, boundary layer growth over a flat plate, critical reynolds number, blasius solution, basics of
turbulent flow.
PART-A
1. State Newton’s law of viscosity. (May/June2013)
It states that “For a steady uniform flow, the shear stress (τ) on a fluid element is layer
is directly proportional to the rate of shear strain (6C 6%). The constant of
proportionality (µ) is called the coefficient of viscosity.
2. Define shape factor. (May/June2013)
A shape factor is used in boundary layer flow to determine the nature of the flow
F∗
E=
H
where H is the shape factor, δ* is the displacement thickness and θ is the momentum
thickness. The higher the value of H, the stronger the adverse pressure gradient. A high
adverse pressure gradient can greatly reduce the Reynolds number at which transition into
turbulence may occur.
3. Define Prandtl number and its significance. (May/June 2012)
Prandtl number= molecular diffusivity of momentum / molecular diffusivity of heat

4. Name the characteristics which encourage transition from laminar to turbulent flow.
(May/June 2012)
The characteristics that encourage transition of flow from laminar to turbulent are:
1) Increased surface roughness
2) Increased turbulence in the freestream
3) Adverse pressure gradients
4) Heating of the fluid by the surface.
5. What is the physical meaning of displacement thickness of a boundary layer?
(Nov/Dec 2010) (May/june 2017) (APR/MAY 2018)
Displacement thickness δ* is an index proportional to the missing mass flow
due to the presence of the boundary layer. The displacement thickness is physically the
distance through which the external inviscid flow is displaced by the presence of
the boundary layer.
6. What is laminar sublayer? (April/May 2010)
For turbulent flow analysis along a boundary, the flow is divided into two portions. The first
portion consists of a thin layer of fluid in the immediate neighborhood of the boundary, where
viscous shear stress predominates while the shear stress due to turbulence is negligible. This
portion is known as laminar sublayer.
7.What is laminar flow?
When the flow is laminar, there are occasional disturbances that damps out quickly. The flow
Reynolds number plays a vital role in deciding this characteristic.
8. Define turbulent flow.
Initially, the flow may start with laminar at moderate Reynolds number. With subsequent increase
in Reynolds number, the orderly flow pattern is lost and fluctuations become more predominant.
When the Reynolds number crosses some limiting value, the flow is characterized as turbulent.
9. What does it mean by transition flow?
When the Reynolds number crosses some limiting value, the flow is characterized as turbulent.
The changeover phase is called as transition to turbulence.
10. Define relaminarization.
Reynolds number is decreased from turbulent region, then flow may come back to the laminar
state. This phenomenon is known as relaminarization.
11. Show the fluid flow characteristics graphically.
12. Draw the Velocity profile and pressure changes in a duct flow.
13. Draw the Mean and fluctuating turbulent velocity and pressure.
14. List out the different sub-layers turbulent boundary layer.
- Wall layer (laminar shear dominates)

- Outer layer (turbulent shear dominates)
- Overlap layer (both types of shear are important)
15. Show the velocity profile and shear distribution of laminar & turbulent layer. (APR/MAY
2018)
16. Define velocity defect law.

The velocity profile in the outer layer is approximated as the deviation from the free stream
velocity and represented by an equation called as velocity-defect law.
17. Define Overlap layer:

Most of the experimental data show the very good validation of wall law and velocity defect law
in the respective regions. An intermediate layer may be obtained when the velocity profiles
described by Eqs. (5.1.12 & 5.1.13) overlap smoothly. It is shown that empirically that the overlap
layer varies logarithmically with (Eq. (5.1.14). This particular layer is known as overlap layer. y
Overlap layer: Most of the experimental data show the very good validation of wall law and
velocity defect law in the respective regions. An intermediate layer may be obtained when the
velocity profiles described by Eqs. (5.1.12 & 5.1.13) overlap smoothly. It is shown that empirically
that the overlap layer varies logarithmically with (Eq. (5.1.14). This particular layer is known as
overlap layer. Y
18.What you mean by Couette Flow?

Consider a two-dimensional incompressible, viscous, laminar flow between two parallel plates
separated by certain distance as shown in Fig. 5.2.1. The upper plate moves with constant velocity
while the lower is fixed and there is no pressure gradient. It is assumed that the plates are very wide
and long so that the flow is essentially axial . Further, the flow is considered far downstream from
the entrance so that it can be treated as fully-developed .
19. Sketch the Incompressible viscous flow between parallel plates with no pressure gradient.
20. Define poiseuille’s flow.

Consider a two-dimensional incompressible, viscous, laminar flow between two parallel plates,
separated by certain distance as shown in Fig. 5.2.4. Here, both the plates are fixed but the pressure
varies in x-direction. It is assumed that the plates are very wide and long so that the flow is
essentially axial . Further, the flow is considered far downstream from the entrance so that it can be
treated as fully-developed. Using continuity equation, it leads to the same conclusion of Eq. (5.2.1)
that only. Also, and gravity is neglected .
21. Sketch the Incompressible viscous flow between parallel plates with pressure gradient.
22.What are the silent features of Couette and Poiseuille flows;

The Couette flow is induced by the relative motion between two parallel plates while the
Poiseuille flow is a pressure driven flow.
Both are planner flows and there is a non-zero velocity along x-direction while no velocity in y
and z directions.
The solutions for the both the flows are the exact solutions of Navier-Stokes equation.
The velocity profile is linear for Couette flow with zero velocity at the lower plate with
maximum velocity near to the upper plate.
The velocity profile is parabolic for Poiseuille flow with zero velocity at the top and bottom
plate with maximum velocity in the central line.
In a Poiseuille flow, the volume flow rate is directly proportional to the pressure gradient and
inversely related with the fluid viscosity .
23. Plot the graph between non-dimensional velocity and distance.
24. Define Hagen-Poiseuille flow.

The exact solution of Navier-Stokes equation for the steady, incompressible, laminar flow through
a circular pipe of constant cross-section is commonly known as Hagen-Poiseuille flow.
25. What do you understand from Hagen-Poiseuille equation.
- The nature of velocity profile in a laminar pipe flow is paraboloid with zero at the wall and
maximum at the central-line.
- The maximum velocity in a laminar pipe flow is twice that of average velocity.
- In a laminar pipe flow, the friction factor drops with increase in flow Reynolds number.
- The shear stress varies linearly from center-line to the wall, being maximum at the wall and zero
at the central-line. This is true for both laminar as well as turbulent flow.
26. Show the Schematic representation of laminar to turbulent transition in a pipe flow.
27. What is moody chart?

The surface roughness is one of the important parameter for initiating transition in a flow. However, its
effect is negligible if the flow is laminar but a turbulent flow is strongly affected by roughness. The
surface roughness is related to frictional resistance by a parameter called as roughness ratio , where is
the roughness height and is the diameter of the pipe. The experimental evidence show that friction
factor becomes constant at high Reynolds number for any given roughness ratio .
28. List out the minor losses of fluid when it passes through the pipe.
- Pipe entrance or exit
- Sudden expansion or contraction
- Gradual expansion or contraction
- Losses due to pipe fittings (valves, bends, elbows etc.)
29. List out few important features in an external flow past an airfoil.
Some of the important features are highlighted below;
- The free stream flow divides at the stagnation point.
- The fluid at the body takes the velocity of the body (no-slip condition).
- A boundary layer is formed at the upper and lower surface of the airfoil.
- The flow in the boundary layer is initially laminar and the transition to turbulence takes place at
downstream of the stagnation point, depending on the free stream conditions.
30. Define boundary layer thickness. (May/June 2016)
The boundary layer thickness is defined as the distance from the surface to a point where the
velocity is reaches 99% of the free stream velocity.
31. Define wall temperature

The temperature of the fluid immediately at the surface is equal to the temperature of the surface; this is
called the wall temperature Tw.
32. Define velocity boundary-layer thickness
For the flow over a flat plate, the velocity at the edge of the boundary layer will be V∞; that is,
ue = V∞. For a body of general shape, ue is the velocity obtained from an inviscid flow
solution evaluated at the body surface (or at the “effective body” surface, as discussed later).
The quantity is called the velocity boundary-layerthickness.
33. Define velocity profile.

At any given x station, the variation of u between y = 0 and y = ᵟ that is, u = u(y), is defined as
the velocity profile within the boundary layer.
34. Define thermal boundary-layer thickness

The flow temperature will change above the wall, ranging from T = Tw at y = 0 to T = 0.99Te
at y = ᵟT . Here, ᵟT is defined as the thermal boundary-layer thickness.
35. Define temperature profile

At any given x station, the variation of T between y = 0 and y = ᵟ that is, T = T (y), is called
the temperature profile within the boundary layer.
36. Draw Boundary-layer properties over the flat plate.

37. Compare the velocity boundary layer thickness and a temperature boundary layer
thickness?
A velocity boundary layer with thickness ᵟ and a temperature boundary layer with thickness ᵟT
. In general, ᵟT and ᵟ are not equal.The relative thicknesses depend on the Prandtl number: it
can be shown that if Pr =1, then ᵟ = ᵟT; if Pr > 1, then ᵟT < ᵟ; if Pr < 1, then ᵟT > ᵟ. For air at
standard conditions, Pr = 0.71; hence, the thermal boundary layer is thicker than the velocity
boundary layer, as shown in Note that both boundary-layer thicknesses increase with distance
from the leading edge; that is, ᵟ = ᵟ (x) and ᵟT = ᵟT (x).
38. Write down the equation for heat transfer?

The temperature gradient at the wall generates heat transfer at the wall, where (_T/_y)w is the
temperature gradient evaluated at y = 0 (i.e., at the wall). In general, both _w and ˙qw are
functions of distance from the leading edge
39. Write down the equation for displacement thickness.
40. Write down the equation for momentum thickness
41. Write down the nondimensionalized form of the x-momentum equation
42. Write down the continuity equation for boundary layer.
43. Write down the momentum equation for boundary layer.

44. Write down the energy equation for boundary layer.
45. Write down The boundary conditions for boundary layer.
46. Write down The Blasius’ equation.
47. Explain the local skin-friction coefficient for the incompressible laminar flow over a
flat plate
48. Explain the relation between boundary-layer thickness and Reynolds number.
49. Explain the effect of Mach number and wall temperature Boundary-layer thickness for
laminar, compressible flow over a flat plate.
50. Write the equation for couette flow.

PART-B &C
1. (i) Making use of Navier-strokes equations for a 2-D flow, develop Prandtl’s
boundary layer equations for flow over 2-D flat plate. Provide the boundary conditions.
Hence define displacement thickness and momentum thickness. (May/June 2013)
Answer: Refer Pages 876-879, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
Aerodynamics, Fourth edition. (May/June 2016)
2. (i) A tunnel has a square test section of 305 mm. At a section (1), the free stream
speed is 26 m/s and δ*=1.5 mm. At a section (2) downstream of (1), δ*=2.1 mm. Calculate
the change in static pressure between sections (1) and (2)
3. (i) Write notes on Newton,s law of viscosity, kinematic viscosity and momentum
diffusivity. (Nov/Dec 2012)
Answer: Pages 806-809, Pages 316-319, 404, 403, John D Anderson Jr.,
(ii) Explain the boundary layer properties.
Answer: Pages 806-809, Pages 870-875 John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
4. (i) Estimate the frictional drag force on a flat plate 3 m long and 10 m wide, placed in a
wind tunnel in a uniform stream of 50 m/s under the following assumptions (Assume
for air; density=1.18 kg/m3, kinematic viscosity=14.7 mm2/s); (May/June2012)
(1) The boundary layer remains laminar over the entire length and
(2) The boundary layer is turbulent over the entire smooth surface of the plate. Answer: Refer
page no: 637-638 in “Fluid Mechanics and Machinery”, by Dr. R.K.Bansal.
5. (i) Define and derive expressions for (May/June 2012) (1)
Displacement thickness and
(2) Momentum thickness.
edition. (APR/MAY 2018)
(ii) For a steady two dimensional laminar flow of velocity U∞ over a flat plate of
length L, show how the N-S equations can be non-dimensional and obtain boundary layer
equations.
Answer: Pages 814, 876-878, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of
6. (i) Write a note on boundary layer separation. (Nov/Dec 2010) (APR/MAY 2018)
Answer: Refer page no: 643 in “Fluid Mechanics and Machinery”, by Dr.
R.K.Bansal.
R.K.Bansal.
7. Air flows over a flat plate of 1 m X 0.5 m size kept parallel to the flow in a stream of
velocity 5 m/s . Assuming a velocity profile given by, kinematic viscosity and density of air as
1.5x 10-5 m2/s and 1.226 kg/m3 respectively, estimate (i) Boundary layer thickness at 0.75 m
from the leading edge of the plate and (ii) The drag on one side of the plate. (Nov/Dec 2010)
R.K.Bansal. (May/June 2016)
11. Derive Blasius theorem for an incompressible flow over a flat plate. Conclude the
Blasius equation in terms of stream function. (Nov/Dec 2012) (APR/MAY 2018)
edition.
12. A sharp edge flat plate with length 0.5m and width 5m is kept parallel to a stream of
air at velocity 2.7 m/s. Calculate the drag on one side of the flat plate and the
boundary layer thickness at various sections. (Nov/Dec 2013)
13. Derive Navier Stokes equation for a viscous flow in Cartesian coordinates (16) (2012,
2009, 2006)Answer: Refer notes (or) Pages 806-809, Pages 316-319, 404, 403,
John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition.
14. Consider a flat plate at zero angle of attack in an airflow at standard sea level
conditions (p∞ = 1.01 × 105 N/m2 and T∞ = 288 K). The chord length of the plate
(distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge) is 2 m. The planform area of the plate is
40 m2. At standard sea level conditions, μ∞ = 1.7894 × 10−5 kg/(m)(s). Assume the wall
temperature is the adiabatic wall temperature Taw. Calculate the friction drag on the plate
when the freestream velocity is (a) 100 m/s, (b) 1000 m/s. Answer: Pages 999-1000, John
D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fourth edition.

15. Use the reference temperature method to calculate the friction drag on the same flat
plate at the same flow conditions as described in previous question (q.no.14). Compare the
reference temperature results with that obtained in Example 8.1b, which reflected the
“exact” laminar boundary layer theory. Answer: Pages 1001-1002, John D Anderson Jr.,

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AERODYNAMICS-I QUESTION BANK (AE8401)

UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO LOW SPEED FLOW

Fluid may be defined as a substance which is capable of flowing. It has no

S.No Ideal fluid Real fluid

Also referred to as inviscid

3. What are the applications of Bernoulli’s equation in aerodynamics? (Nov/Dec

Prepared by S.MANIKANDAN A.P/AERO/JEC

Prepared by S.MANIKANDAN A.P/AERO/JEC

6. What is meant by continuum hypothesis? (Nov/Dec 2010)

8. Define compressibility. (April/May 2010)

Prepared by S.MANIKANDAN A.P/AERO/JEC

9. What are the assumptions involved in deriving Bernoulli’s equation?

Prepared by S.MANIKANDAN A.P/AERO/JEC

13. Explain steady and unsteady flows.

18. Differentiate between primary and secondary dimensions.

19. What are the properties of fluids?

20. Define viscosity.

23. Explain about specific heat.

(b) Specific heat at constant pressure (cp)

25. Define vapour pressure.

26. What do you mean by cavitation?

27 .Explain about surface tension.

28. Differentiate between Compressible and Incompressible flow

30. Distinguish between Steady and Unsteady flow.

31. Define isolines.

32. Define stokes theorem.

33. Define divergence theorem

34. Define gradient theorem

Prepared by S.MANIKANDAN A.P/AERO/JEC

a. Mass is conserved (i.e., mass can be neither created nor destroyed).

36. Explain control volume .

37. Explain control surface.

38. Explain Infinitesimal Fluid Element Approach

39. Explain Infinitesimal Fluid Element Approach

40. Describe divergence of velocity.

41. Write down the equation for normal force coefficient.

42. Write down the equation for axial force coefficient.

43. Write down the equation for pitching moment coefficient.

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47. Write down the Hydrostatic equation.

48. Define continuum flow

49. Define pressure drag

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Answer: Refer pages 122 – 127, John D Anderson Jr., Fundamentals of

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UNIT II TWO DIMENSIONAL INVISCID INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW

1. What is meant by complex potential (or function)? (Nov/Dec 2013,

each other by a finite distance l.

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FREE VORTEX FORCED VORTEX

7. Define vorticity. (April/May 2010)

velocity, denoted by ξ, where, ξ = 2ω.ξ = 2ω

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12. Define circulation.

14. State pascal law.

15. Define control volume.

16. Explain conservation of mass.

17. Define first law of thermodynamics.

18. State and explain Bernoulli Equation. (NOV/DEC 2017)

19. Explain the Concept of Material Derivative (NOV/DEC 2017)

20. Explain the boundary layer.

21.Define time line.