Basic Fluid Dynamics

Momentum
p = mv

Viscosity
Resistance to flow; momentum diffusion
Low viscosity: Air
High viscosity: Honey

Viscosity
Dynamic viscosity
Kinematic viscosity [L2T-1]

Shear stress
Dynamic viscosity
Shear stress u/y

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

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

G 2
2
u ( x)
(a x )
2
G can be gravitational acceleration
times density or (linear) pressure
gradient (Pin Pout)/L

u(x)

x=0

x=a

Poiseuille Flow

S.GOKALTUN
Florida International University

Entry Length Effects

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

University Press, Oxford. 519 pp.

Re << 1 (Stokes Flow)

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

University Press, Oxford. 519 pp.

Separation

Eddies and Cylinder Wakes

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

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

University Press, Oxford. 519 pp.

Eddies and Cylinder Wakes

S.Gokaltun

Florida International University

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

Eddies and Cylinder Wakes

S.Gokaltun

Florida International University

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

Laplace Law
There is a pressure difference between the
inside and outside of bubbles and drops
The pressure is always higher on the inside
of a bubble or drop (concave side) just as
in a balloon
The pressure difference depends on the
radius of curvature and the surface tension
for the fluid pair of interest: P = /r in 2D

Laplace Law
In 3D, we have to account for two primary
radii:
1
1
P

R1 R2
R2 can sometimes be infinite
But for full- or semi-spherical meniscii
drops, bubbles, and capillary tubes the
two radii are the same and
2
P
R

2D Laplace Law
P = /r = P/r,

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

r
Pin

Pout

Young-Laplace Law
When solid surfaces are involved, in addition to
the fluid1/fluid2 interface where the interaction
is given by the surface tension -- we have
interfaces between both fluids and the surface
Often one of the fluids preferentially wets the
surface
This phenomenon is captured by the contact
angle
Zero contact angle means perfect wetting
In 2D: P = cos /r

Young-Laplace Law
The contact angle affects the radius of the
meniscus as 1/R = cos 1/Rsize:

Rsize

30

60

90

R/Rsize

1.15

Young-Laplace Law
The contact angle affects the radius of the
meniscus as 1/R = cos 1/Rsize, so we end up
with

P cos

Rsize
1

Rsize2

If the two Rsizes are equal (as in a capillary tube),

we get

P 2 cos

Rsize

If one Rsize is infinity (as in a slit), then

P cos
Rsize