THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUITY One of the fundamental laws of the universe is ENERGY and MASS can neither be created nor destroyed, only changed from one form to another. To demonstrate the effect this basic Principle of Continuity has on aeradynamic theory, itis instructive to consider a streamline flow of air through a tube which has a reduced cross sectional area in the middle. The air mass flow, or mass per unit time, through the tube will be the product of the cross- sectionabarea (A), the airflow velocity (V) and the air density (p), Mass flow will remain a constant value at all points slong the tube. The Equation of Continuity is: AxWx p = Constant 4 compressible fluid, any pressure change in the flow will affect the air density. at low subsonic speeds (« 0.4 M} density changes will be insignificant and can be disregarded. The equation of continuity can now be simplified to: A x V = constant, or Constant ‘Area (AD LL = | oe, | Velocity (V) “a am Yom? ie 52 ms (1008) ‘104 rus (2004) 52 rs (100 He) 2 ys 52 als 52 g's ‘The Principle of Continuity Because the mass flow must remain constant, itcan be seen from the equation of continuity that, the reduction in the tube's cross-sectional area results in an increase in velorily and, vice versa. The equation of continuity enables the velocity changes of airflow around a given shape to be predicted mathematically, (< 0.4 M).BERNOULLI'S THEOREM “In the steady flow of an ideal fluid the sum of the pressure and kinetic energy per unit volume remains constant” Note: An idea! flaid is both incompressible and has na viscosity: This statement can be expressed as: Pressure + Kinetic energy = Constant or: prhev Consiclera mass of air: Static Prossure 101325 N/mé, Density 1.225 kg/m’ and Velocity 52anJs, its dynamic pressure will be: 1654 Nim, |Q= 4 x 1.225 x 52 x 52] Pressure (101325 N/m? ) + Kinetic energy (1656 N/m?) = Constant (102981 Nim?) a Dynamic Pressure 1656 Nn ana nm? 956 Nm? eae ro1325 wim? 96957 mm? 101525 in? TOTAL 02981 Win? 102081 Nin? 102081 Nin? PRESSURE ‘Bernoulli's Theorm Because the velocity of air at the throat has doubled, its dynamic pressure has risen by a value of four, and the static pressure has decreased. The significant point is that: Static Pressure + Dynamic Pressure is a constant. This constant can be referred to either as: TOTAL PRESSURE, STAGNATION PRESSURE or PITOT PRESSURE. Itcan be seen that flow velacity is dependent om the shape af the abject over which it flows. ‘Andi, from Bemoulli’s thearem itis evielent that an increase in velocity will cause a decrease in static pressure, and vice versaThe tubes illustrated above are used only to demonstrate the Principle of Continuity and Bemoulli's Thearem and is of no practical use in making an aeroplane fly. But, an aerodynamic force to oppese the weight of an aircraft can be generated by using a specially shaped body called an acrofoil ‘Typical Aerofoil Section The airflaw velocity over the top surface of a lifting aerofoil will be greater than that beneath, so the pressure differential that results will produce a force per unit area acting upwards. The larger the surface atea, the bigger the force that can be generated, Inthe next section we see that the flow over the top of the acrofoil looks very like the tube on the ‘opposite page and the principle of continuity and Bernaulli's theorem still apply. STREAMLINES AND THE STREAMTUBE ‘A streamline is the path traced by a particle of air in a steady airflow, and streamlines cannot rosa, When streamlines are shown close together it illustrates increased velocity and vice versa. Diverging streamtines illustrate a decelerating airflow and resultant increasing pressure and converging streamtines illustrate an accelerating airflow, with resultant decreasing pressure, ees STREAMTUBE 7 ‘Streamlines and a Streamtube A streamtube is an imaginary tube made of streamlines. There is no flow into or out of the streamtube through the “walls”, only a flow along the tube. With this concept it is possible to ‘visualise the airflow around an aero‘ail being within a tube made-up of streamlines.SUMMARY [At flow speeds of less than about 0.4 M, pressure changes will not affect air density. Continuity: > Air accelerates when the cross-sectional-area of a streamline flow is, reduced ‘Air decelerates when the cross-sectional-area increases again. Ifa streamline flow of air avcelerates, its kinetic energy will increase and its static pressure will decrease. When air decelerates, the kinetic energy will decrease and the static pressure will By hamessing the Principle of Continuity and Bernoulli's Theorem an aerodynamic force can be generated.