EULER’S, BERNOULLI’S AND LAPLACE’S EQUATIONS

Bernoulli’s Equation

1. From an aerodynamic point of view, at air velocities between 0 and 300 miles
per hour the air density remains essentially constant, varying only by a few
percent. Since most modern general aviation aircraft still fly at speeds below
300 miles per hour, the study of incompressible flow is as relevant today as it
was at the time of the Wright brothers. Also, for the most part, we can ignore
any effects of friction, thermal conduction, or diffusion; that is, we normally
deal with inviscid incompressible flow.

2. Bernoulli’s equation is the most famous equation in fluid dynamics. The

Bernoulli’s equation is derived from the momentum equation; hence it is a
statement of Newton’s second law for inviscid, incompressible flow with no
body forces.

(a) First Euler’s equation is derived from the momentum equation by equating
the time rate of flow to zero (since steady flow is assumed) and also the shear
stress and other body forces to zero (inviscid flow with no body forces is
assumed) The Euler’s equation is thus given by

dp = − ρVdV
(b) The relation between pressure and velocity in an inviscid, incompressible
flow is then arrived at by integrating the Euler’s equations which is given by the
Bernoulli’s equation as
1 1
p1 + ρV12 = p2 + ρV2 2 or
2 2
1
p + ρV 2 = cons tan t
2

(c) Physical Significance. When the velocity increases, the pressure decreases,
and when the velocity decreases, the pressure increases.

(d) However, since the dimensions are energy per unit volume, Bernoulli’s
equation is also a relation for mechanical energy in an incompressible flow; it
states that the work done on a fluid by pressure sources is equal to change in
kinetic energy of the flow.

(e) Bernoulli’s equation can be derived from the energy equation also. This
fact means that the energy equation is redundant for the analysis of inviscid,
incompressible flow. For such flows, the continuity and momentum equations
suffice.

3. The strategy for solving most problems in inviscid, incompressible flow will be: -
 (a) To obtain the velocity field from the governing equations.
(b) Once the velocity field is known, obtain the corresponding pressure field
from Bernoulli’s equation.

4. Applications of Bernoulli’s Equations. Bernoulli’s equations have several

applications like of flow of ducts (velocity measurement in Venturi and low-speed
tunnels) and measurement of airspeed using Pitot tube.

5. Pressure Coefficient. The pressure coefficient is a dimensionless pressure which

finds wide use in aerodynamics. For incompressible flow, Cp can be expressed in terms
of velocity only as given below: -
2
p − p∞ V 
Cp = = 1−  
q∞  V∞ 

6. Condition on Velocity for Incompressible Flow. The physical definition of

incompressible flow is density ρ is constant. Since ρ is the mass per unit volume and is
constant, then a fluid element of fixed mass moving through an incompressible flow field
must also have a fixed, constant volume. Since del dot V is physically the time rate of
change of the volume of a moving fluid element per unit volume. Therefore, for an
incompressible
ur flow
∇.V = 0
This can be also be shown from the continuity equation when δρ/δt = 0 and ρ=constant
not equal to zero.

7. Governing Equation for Irrotational, Incompressible Flow : Laplace Equation.

(a) From ur the principle of mass conservation for an incompressible flow,
∇.V = 0
(b) In addition, for an irrotational flow, a velocity potential φ can be defined
such thatur
V = ∇φ
(c) Therefore, for a flow that is both incompressible and irrotational, the
above equations can be combined to yield
∇.(∇φ ) = 0
⇒ ∇ 2φ = 0
(d) This equation is the Laplace Equation and solutions of Laplace equations
are called harmonic functions.
(e) The stream function also satisfies the Laplace equation.
(i) For a two-dimensional incompressible flow, a stream function ψ
can be defined such that
∂ψ
u=
∂y
∂ψ
v=−
∂x
 (ii) The irrotationality condition for 2-D flow is
∂v ∂u
− =0
∂x ∂y
(iii) Substituting from equations for u and v, we have
∂  ∂ψ  ∂  ∂ψ 
− −  =0
∂x  ∂x  ∂y  ∂y 
∂ 2ψ ∂ 2ψ
⇒ + =0
∂x 2 ∂y 2
which is again a Laplace equation.

8. Thus we can conclude that: -

(a) Any irrotational, incompressible flow has a velocity potential and stream
function for 2-D flow that both satisfy Laplace equation.
(b) Conversely, any solution of Laplace’s equation represents the velocity
potential or stream function (2-D) for an irrotational incompressible flow.

9. The general approach to the solution of irrotational, incompressible flows can be

summarized as follows: -

(a) Solve Laplace’s equation for φ or ψ along with proper boundary

conditions. These solutions are usually in the form of a sum of elementary
solutions.
ur ∂ψ ∂ψ
(b) Obtain the velocity from V = ∇φ or u = ;v = − .
∂y ∂x
(c) Obtain the pressure from Bernoulli’s equation,
1 1
p + ρV 2 = p∞ + ρV∞ 2
2 2
Since V and p are the primary dependent variables for an incompressible flow, these
steps are all we need to solve a given problem as long as the flow is incompressible and
irrotational.