Macroscopic Linear Momentum Balance

Linear momentum is a vector quantity and hence has a magnitude and

a direction associated with it. For example, if M is the mass of a system
which is moving at a uniform velocity u then Mu is the linear momentum
associated with the system and it is directed in the direction of the velocity
vector u. Also if m is the mass flow rate then mu is the rate of transfer of
linear momentum. Linear momentum can be balanced by using the general
balance law:
Rate out – rate in + rate of accumulation = sum of the forces .
Use has been made here of Newton’s law F = ma; consider the dimensions:
ML
ML T [=] momentum
F [ =] 2 = .
T T time
Thus, a force is equivalent to the rate of transfer of linear momentum. If the
velocities, pressure, etc., are uniform on inlets and outlets, the macro-linear
momentum balance is:
G
G G d ( Mu ) system G
∑ mi ui −
i =outlets
∑ ii m
i =inlets
u +
dt
= ∑i i .
F

(Note: Use has been made of Newton’s law in an inertial frame. If a non-
inertial frame, for example, a rotating frame, is used
G
then some
non-apparent forces must be included in the ∑ Fi term. The macro-linear
i

momentum balance is a vector-valued equation and hence has as many

scalar equations contained in it as the dimension of the physical space.

Example: Jet Boat

Consider the jet boat shown here.

The boat is required to be capable of exerting a 200 lbf pull on the line that
holds it stationary. Calculate the pipe size and the minimum horsepower
required for the pump-motor system if it is 90% efficient.
System: Water in the pipe system through the boat
Assume the operation is steady-state and p1 = p 2 , z1 = z 2 .

Mass Balance
m1 = m2 ≡ m = ρQ .
Here
150 ft 3 lbm
Q= = 0.334 ⇒ m = (62.4)(0.334) = 20.85 .
(60)(7.481) s s
Then
(20.85) ft
u1 = = 1.7
3 s
π ( ) 2 (62.4)
12
and
ft
u1x = [cos(35 o )u1 = 0.51 .
s

x - Linear Momentum Balance (x-Force Balance)

m2 u 2 x − m1u1x = 200 .
Here u1x , u 2 x are the x-component of the velocities at the inlet and outlet,
respectively. Since the engineering system of units is being used the
equation is
1 m
[m2 u 2 x − m1u1x ] = 200 ⇒ [u 2 x − u1x ] = 200 .
gc gc
Thus,
(200) g c (200)(32.17) ft
u2x = + u1x = + 0.51 = 309.1 .
m (20.85) s
Since the velocity is perpendicular to the outlet and is in the x-direction it
follows that
1
4Q 2 ⎡ (4)(0.334) ⎤ 2
1
Q = A2 u 2 x ⇒ D2 = ( ) =⎢ ⎥ = 0.037 ft = 0.445in .
mu 2 x ⎣ (3.1416)(309.1) ⎦
In order to calculate the horsepower of the pump-motor system one
must write a mechanical energy balance. Neglecting lost work the
mechanical energy balance is
 u2 p
Δ( + gz + ) = − w .
2 ρ

Recall p1 = p 2 , z1 = z 2 and thus the mechanical energy balance is

u 22 u12 (308.6) 2 (1.7) 2

− = −w ⇒ − = −w
2g c 2g c 2(32.17) 2(32.17)
or
ftlb f 1478.75
w = −1478.75 =− = −2.69hp .
lbm 550
ftlbm
(Notice g c = 32.17 has been introduced because engineering units
lb f s 2
are being used.) Since the work is negative, the work is done on the system.
If the motor-pump system is 90% efficient, then
horsepower of the motor-pump system =(2.69)/0.90=2.99 hp.

Example: Force on a Section of Pipe

Consider the section of pipe shown here.

System: Fluid in the pipe

Mass Balance
Δ ( ρAu ) = 0 ⇒ u1 = u 2
because A1 = A2 , ρ = const.

x-Linear Momentum Balance (x-Force Balance)

If F is the force exerted by the pipe on the fluid, then
Fx + p1 A1 − p 2 A2 cos( 45 o ) = (m 2 u 2 x − m1u1x )
or
 Fx + p1 A1 − p 2 A2 cos( 45 o ) = m (u 2 x − u1 x ) .
Here
(200)(8.33) lb
m = ρQ = = 27.77 m
60 s
A1 = A2 = 0.0233 ft 2
.
27.77 ft
u1 = u 2 = = 19.1
(62.4)(0.0233) s

Substituting into the x-linear momentum (x-force) balance leads to

(27.77)
Fx = (13.51 − 19.1) + (50)(144)(0.0233)(cos( 45 o ) − 1) = −4.83 − 49.14 = −53.97lb f
(32.17)

y-Linear Momentum Balance (y-Force Balance)

If the force of gravity is neglected, it becomes

Fy − p 2 A2 sin(45 o ) = m(u 2 y − u1 y )
or
(27.77)
Fy = (50)(144)(0.0233) sin(45o ) + (19.1) sin(45o )
(32.17) .
= 118.62 + 11.66 = 130.28lb f
Thus,
G 1
F = [( −53.97 ) + (130.28) ] = 141.02lb f
2 2 2

and
130.28
θ = tan −1 ( ) = 67.5 o .
53.97
Example: Jet of Water Striking a Circular Dish
Consider the circular dish whose cross section is shown here.

It has an outside diameter of 0.15m. A jet of water strikes the dish

concentrically and then flows outward along the surface of the dish. The jet
speed is 45m/s and the dish moves to the left at 10 m/s. The thickness of the
sheet of water, t, is 0.012 m and the arc length of the circular dish is 0.075
m. Find the horizontal force on the dish to maintain its motion.

System: The dashed control volume moving with the dish

Assume that velocity is uniform and normal on the inlet and outlets. Note
also that the control volume is moving at a constant velocity and hence is
itself and inertial reference frame.
Mass Balance
π (0.05) 2 (45 − 100)
m1 = m2 ⇒ ρu1 A1 = ρ (V − U ) A2 ⇒ = 0.075tu 2
4
or
(3.1416)(0.05) 2 (35) m
u2 = = 76.4 .
(4)(0.075)(0.012) s
Also,
π (0.05) 2 (45 − 10) m3
Q1 = Q2 = Q ⇒ Q= = 0.0687
4 s
or
kg
m1 = m 2 ≡ m = (0.0687 )(999) = 68.65
s
kg
Here the water density has been taken to be ≈ 999 .
m3

x-Linear Momentum Balance (x-Force Balance)

In general the balance on the moving control volume, i.e., system, is
G
G G d ( Mu ) system G
∑ i i i=∑
m
i =outlets
u − m
inlets
u
i i +
dt
= ∑i i .
F

Here it simplifies to
m2 u 2 x − m1u1x = R x .
The velocities appearing in the equation are the x-component of the inlet and
outlet velocities on the moving control volume. That is,
u1x = (V − U ) and u 2 x = −u2 cos θ .
Substituting into the x-linear momentum balance leads to

Rx = −m[(u 2 cosθ + (V − U )]
or
R x = −(68.65)[76.4 cos( 40 o ) + 35] = −6420 N = −6.42 KN

Note that the force is negative, i.e., to the right.

Example: Force a Nozzle exerts on a Pipe
Reconsider the pipe nozzle system that was previously considered as
an example in the Mechanical Energy Balance Section.

The pressure p1 = 100 psig, P2 = atmospheric and the fluid is oil with a
specific gravity of 0.85.
System: The oil in the section (1)-(2).
The following results are from the previous analysis.
ft ft ft 3 lb
u1 = 14.78 , u 2 = 133 , Q = 0.725 , ρ = (0.85)(62.4) = 53 m3 .
s s s ft
x-Linear Momentum Balance (x-Force Balance)

(53)(0.725)(133 − 14.78)
p1 A1 + Fx =
32.17
or
(53)(0.725)(133 − 14.78) π (3) 2
Fx = − (100) = 141.21 − 706.86 = −565.6lb f
32.17 4
.
Note that Fx is the x-component of the force the pipe exerts on the oil
because the force balance was done on the oil in the system. Therefore, the
oil exerts an x-component of force, say Rx, which is equal in magnitude but
opposite in direction to Fx. That is, Rx = 565.6 lbf and thus is directed to the
right.
Example: A Moving Tank Filling With Water
Consider a moving tank with a scope that allows it to fill itself with
water when moving over an open trench filled with water.

The tank is moving at a constant velocity W0 in the x-direction. It has a

length a , a width b and a depth of water l(t) which is changing with time.

System: The Water Indicated by The Dashed Line Moving With the tank
Assume that the inlet velocity is uniform and normal to the inlet (1)
and the fluid is incompressible.

Mass Balance
d ( ρV ) system
ρu1 A1 = .
dt
Here
u1 = W0 , A1 = bh , V (t ) = abl (t ) , m1 = ρA1u1 = ρbhW0 .

Thus, the mass balance becomes

dl dl hW0
ρab = ρW0bh ⇒ = .
dt dt a

If the initial height of water in the sled is l 0 , then

hW0 t
l (t ) = l 0 + .
a
x-Linear Momentum Balance (x-Force Balance)
In general the linear momentum balance is
 G
G G d ( Mu ) system G
∑ mi ui −
i =outlets
∑ ii m
i =inlets
u +
dt
= ∑i i
F

Here
d ( Mu x ) system
− m1u1x + = Fx .
dt
Substitution leads to

dM system d (u x ) system
Fx = − ρbhW0u1x + (u x ) system + M system .
dt dt

d (u x ) system
The system is moving at a constant velocity W0 and hence = 0.
dt
Thus
dM system
Fx = − ρbhW0 u1x + W0 = ρbhW02 + W0 ( ρW0 bh) = 2 ρbhW02 .
dt

Note here that Fx is the force the tank exerts on the control volume.