AM 2530 – Foundations of Fluid Mechanics

Problem Set - 2

1. Consider steady, incompressible, two-dimensional flow through a converging duct. A simple

approximate velocity field for this flow is

where U0 is the horizontal speed at x = 0. Note that this equation ignores viscous effects along the
walls but is a reasonable approximation throughout the majority of the flow field. Calculate the
material acceleration for fluid particles passing through this duct. Give your answer in two ways: (1)
as acceleration components ax and ay and (2) as acceleration vector ⃗.

2. For the above converging duct (problem no 1), the pressure field is given by

where P0 is the pressure at x =0. Generate an expression for the rate of change of pressure following a
fluid particle.

3. Consider steady flow of air through the diffuser portion of a wind tunnel shown in figure. Along the
centreline of the diffuser, the air speed decreases from uentrance to uexit as sketched. Measurements
reveal that the centreline air speed decreases parabolically through the diffuser. Write an equation for
centreline speed u(x), based on the parameters given here, from x =0 to x =L.

4. Which of the following sets of equations represent possible three-dimensional incompressible flow
cases

5. Consider the general form of the Reynolds transport theorem (RTT) given by
 where ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is the velocity of the fluid relative to the control surface. Let Bsys be the mass m of a system
of fluid particles. We know that for a system, dm/dt = 0 since no mass can enter or leave the system
by definition. Use the given equation to derive the equation of conservation of mass for a control
volume.

6. Consider the velocity field in the xy plane, where A= 0.25

m-3 s-1, and the coordinates are measured in meters. Is this a possible incompressible flow field?
Calculate the acceleration of a fluid particle at point (x, y) = (2, 1).