Fluid Mechanics

Fluids in Motion
Ideal Fluids in Motion

ideal fluid – an incompressible fluid that has a steady and

nonviscous flow.

flow line – path of an

individual particle in a
moving fluid.

steady flow – flow

pattern that does not
change with time.

streamline – a curve whose tangent at any point is in the

direction of fluid at that point.

flow tube – flow lines passing through the edge of an imaginary

element of area.
The Equation of Continuity

“The mass of a moving fluid does not change as it flows.”

Consider an element of fluid in a flow

tube.
The Equation of Continuity
volume flow rate - the rate at which a volume of fluid crosses
a section of the tube.

mass flow rate - the rate at

which a mass of fluid crosses a
section of the tube.
Example 1

(a)

(b) The volume flow rate does not change.

Bernoulli’s Equation
Consider a volume element dV of a flowing
ideal fluid.
At time dt, the fluid in section 1 travels a
distance ds1 and ds2 at section 2.

work done on the fluid:

change in kinetic energy

of the fluid:
Bernoulli’s Equation
change in potential energy of the fluid:

Work-Energy Theorem:
Bernoulli’s Equation

If the fluid is at rest:

For a horizontal flow tube:

Example 2

flow speed:

pressure:

volume flow rate:

Torricelli’s Theorem: Speed of Efflux
Consider a tank of cross-
section A1 filled with a liquid to
a height h.
Consider a hole (of cross-
section A2) at the side of the
tank where the liquid escapes
with a speed of v2. v2
If A1 >> A2, then v1→0.
Torricelli’s Theorem:
The speed of efflux from an
opening a distance h below the
top surface of the liquid is the
same as the speed a body
would acquire in falling freely
through height h.
v2

volume flow rate:

Example 3: The Venturi meter
A Venturi meter is a device used to measure the flow speed
in a pipe.
Derive an expression for the
flow speed v1 in terms of the
cross-sectional areas A1 and A2
and the difference in height h of
the liquid levels in the two
vertical tubes.
Example 4

(a)

(b)
Example 5
Example 6

(a) y1 v1
p1
y2 v2
p2
(b)
Example 6

y1 v1
(c) p1
y2 v2
p2

(d)
Example 6

(a)
Example 6

(b)