SUMMARY

Up till now we have studied in this

chapter:-
1. Continuity equation.
2. Momentum equation
3. Energy equations.

4. Their mathematical forms as

follows:-
Control volume Form

Differential form
Energy equation
 These equations are fundamental for
the whole Aerodynamics.
 These equations speak.
 Each term has some meanings
 Try to understand the message they
communicate.
 We have obtained the basic flow
equations containing the fundamental
physics of fluid flow.
 We now start with concepts helpful in the
application of basic flow equations
 STREAMLINES OF FLOW
1. Introduction:
In aerodynamics we tend to know the density, pressure,
temperature and velocity fields. We would also like to know
where the flow is going. What are the flow patterns. This is
accomplished by drawing the streamlines.
2. Streamline:
A streamline is a curve whose tangent at any
point is in the direction of the velocity vector at that point.
We will discuss only steady flow.
3. Question: Given a velocity field of a flow, how can we
obtain mathematical equation of a stream line?
Equation of a streamline
The streamline is a curve in space and its equation can be
written as f(x,y,z)= 0
Now consider a directed segment ds of the streamline at
point 2 as shown in the figure 2.27. Velocity at point 2 is v.
Thus ds and v should be parallel to each other at the given
point. Thus we can write

(2.115)
 2.116

Since the above equation is zero and is in vector form. Its

each component should be zero individually.

Thus

The above equations are the differential equations of the

streamline.
Physical Meaning of the Equations
Consider a streamline in two dimensions as shown in fig (2.28)

2.118

Fig:2.28 Equation of a streamline

in two-dimensional Cartesian
space
This is the differential equation for a streamline in two
dimensions. We can write equation 2.118 as

Which is the same as equation (2.117c )

These equations simply state mathematically that the
velocity vector is tangent to the streamline.
Example: 2.3 Consider the velocity field given by u= y/(x2+y2),
V= -x/(x2+y2). Calculate the equation of streamline passing
through point (0,5).

Solution:
We know dy/dx= v/u= -x/(x2+y2) = -x/y
y/(x2+y2)
Or ydy= -xdx
Integrating, we get
∫ydy = ∫-xdx
y2/2= -x2/2 +c or y2 =-x2 + k
Streamline through point (0,5)
25= k
Thus y2= -x2 +25

which is the equation of a circle with centre

at the origin of radius 5 units.
 Angular Velocity, Vorticity
Consider an infinitesimal fluid element moving in
flow field. As it translates along a streamline, it may
rotate, and in addition its shape may become
distorted. The amount of rotation and distortion
depends upon the nature of velocity field. Figure
(2.30)
Types of motion and deformation for a
fluid element

18
 Rotation of a fluid element
Consider a two-dimensional flow in the xy-plane. Also
consider an infinitesimal fluid element in the flow field.
At time “t” fluid element is rectangular as shown in the
Figure 2.31.
 Consider just the line AC. It has rotated because during the

time increment ∆t, point C has moved differently than point A.

 Consider the velocity in y-direction. At point A, at time “t”

this velocity is v and at point C, this velocity is

 Distance in y direction that A moves during

time interval ∆t = v ∆t

 Distance in y direction that C moves

During time interval ∆t =

Net displacement in y direction of
C relative to A =

From the geometry of the figure 2.31

(2.119)

Since ∆θ2 is small we can write

Thus equation (2.119) reduces to

(2.120)
Now consider the line AB. By the similar reasoning we can
write

(2.121)

Or

(2.122)

Angular velocities of line AB

(2.123)
Angular velocity of line AC is
(2.124)

By definition, the angular velocity of the fluid element as

seen in the xy-plane is the average of the angular velocities

of the lines AB and AC.

Let wz denote this angular velocity

(2.125)
From equation (2.123) and (2.124) we get

(2.126)

(2.127)
In order to get rid of factor of “1/2” which looks annoying
and the term 2ω appears more frequently, a new term is
introduced called VORTICITY(ξ)

Vorticity ξ = 2ω

But this is equal to  V   (2.128)

In a velocity field the curl of

the velocity is called vorticity.