RUMINATIONS ON LAGRANGIAN VS.

EULERIAN DESCRIPTIONS, MATERIAL DERIVATIVE AND

STREAMLINES VS. PATHLINES

by Merve Erdal1
Middle East Technical University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Ankara, Turkey
October 27th, 2019

Recall that Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions are two different ways of describing (mathematically
expressing) the same property (such as the fluid velocity, pressure, density and so on). To demonsnstrate this,
let us go back to the 2nd problem solved during the Tutorial Session on Oct. 24th, Thursday. The problem
statement is given below and the answer to each part (obtained at the end of the solution during the Tutorial)
is stated.

"⃗ = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ + (3𝑡 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗ m/s where 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 are in

Q2. The velocity field for a fluid flow is given as 𝑉
meters and 𝑡 in s.
"⃗ m/s)
a) Determine the velocity vector at point P(1, 1, 3) at 𝑡 = 1 s. (Ans: 𝟐5⃗ − 𝟐6⃗ − 𝟑𝒌
"⃗
b) Determine the velocity of the fluid particle passing through point P at time 𝑡 = 1 s. (Ans: 𝟐5⃗ − 𝟐6⃗ − 𝟑𝒌
m/s)
𝟏 𝟑
c) Determine the equation of the streamline passing through point P at time 𝑡 = 1 s . (Ans: 𝒙 = 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒛=𝟑)

"⃗ 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 )
d) What is the local acceleration at point P(1, 1, 3) when 𝑡 = 1 s? (Ans: 𝟑 𝒌
"⃗ 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 )
e) Determine the acceleration of the fluid particle in (b) at time 𝑡 = 1 s. (Ans: 𝟒 5⃗ + 𝟒 6⃗ − 𝟑 𝒌

"⃗ = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ + (3𝑡 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗ m/s, is in Eulerian

The velocity function given in the problem statement, 𝑉
description. That is, at any (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) location in the flow field at any time instant 𝑡, the velocity can be
determined from this (field) function. Now, the velocity is there because it belongs to a fluid particle that
happens to be at (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) at time 𝑡 but in expressing the property (velocity) in Eulerian description, we do not
try to figure out (and need the information about) which particle is passing through this point at this time.

However, if we want, we can also express velocity (or any other fluid property) from a Lagrangian perspective.
Here is how:
For a fluid particle 𝑝, the velocity is expressed (in classical particle dynamics) as
𝑑𝑟⃗D 𝑑𝑥D 𝑑𝑦D 𝑑𝑧D
"⃗D = 𝑢D 𝚤⃗ + 𝑣D 𝚥⃗ + 𝑤D 𝑘"⃗ =
𝑉 = 𝚤⃗ + 𝚥⃗ + 𝑘"⃗
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

1
©Merve Erdal. All rights reserved. Ask for permission if using all or any part of this document.

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 1 of 10
where 𝑟⃗D is the position vector of the particle 𝑝, 𝑟⃗D (𝑡) = 𝑥D (𝑡) 𝚤⃗ + 𝑦D (𝑡) 𝚥⃗ + 𝑧D (𝑡) 𝑘"⃗ and 𝑉
"⃗D is the velocity of

"⃗D (𝑡) = 𝑢D (𝑡) 𝚤⃗ + 𝑣D (𝑡) 𝚥⃗ + 𝑤D (𝑡) 𝑘"⃗.

the particle 𝑝, 𝑉

Both are Lagrangian descriptions of the velocity and the position (as associated with a certain fluid particle).
But they have the same values as their Eulerian counterparts (remember, “two different names for the same
thing”). That is, the coordinates of the position vector of the particle are the same as the coordinates in the
Eulerian description, i.e.
𝑥D = 𝑥, 𝑦D = 𝑦, 𝑧D = 𝑧
and the components of the particle velocity are the same as the components of velocity in the Eulerian
description,
𝑢D = 𝑢, 𝑣D = 𝑣, 𝑤D = 𝑤
Since the Eulerian description of velocity is
"⃗ = 2𝑥
𝑉 J 𝚤⃗ −2𝑦 (3𝑡OPO
L 𝚥⃗ + NO 2𝑧) 𝑘"⃗
− OQ
K M R

Then,
𝑢D = 𝑢 = 2𝑥 = 2𝑥D and 𝑣D = 𝑣 = −2𝑦 = −2𝑦D and 𝑤D = 𝑤 = 3𝑡 − 2𝑧 = 3𝑡 − 2𝑧D
Therefore, we can perform the following operations for the Lagrangian description of the particle properties:
𝑑𝑥D 𝑑𝑦D 𝑑𝑧D
𝑢D = 𝑣D = 𝑤D =
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥D 𝑑𝑦D 𝑑𝑧D
→ 𝑢D = 2𝑥D = → 𝑣D = −2𝑦D = → 𝑤D = 3𝑡 − 2𝑧D =
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥D 𝑑𝑦D 𝑑𝑧D
→ = 2𝑑𝑡 → = −2𝑑𝑡 → + 2𝑧D = 3𝑡
𝑥D 𝑦D 𝑑𝑡
Integrate both sides: Integrate both sides: For homogenous solution 𝑧D,b :

ln 𝑥D = 2𝑡 + 𝑎 ln 𝑦D = −2𝑡 + 𝑏 𝑑𝑧D 𝑑𝑧D

+ 2𝑧D = 0 → = −2𝑧D
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
where 𝑎 is the integration where 𝑏 is the integration
Integrate both sides:
constant. constant.
ln 𝑧D = −2𝑡 + 𝑐
Take the exponential of both Take the exponential of both
where 𝑐 is the integration constant.
sides: sides:
Take the exponential of both sides:
→ 𝑥D = 𝐴𝑒 [\ → 𝑦D = 𝐵𝑒 =[\
→ 𝑧D,b = 𝐶𝑒 =[\
] a
where 𝐴 = 𝑒 is to be where 𝐵 = 𝑒 is to be
where 𝐶 = 𝑒 f is to be determined.
determined. determined.
Seek particular solution of the form:
Note that 𝑥D = 𝑥D (𝑡) ! Note that 𝑦D = 𝑦D (𝑡) !
𝑧D,D]g\ = 𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸
Substitute 𝑧D,D]g\ in equation
𝑑𝑧D
+ 2𝑧D = 3𝑡
𝑑𝑡

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 2 of 10
 (cont.’d from previous page)
and solve for 𝐷, 𝐸:
3 3
→ 𝑧D,D]g\ = 𝑡 −
2 4
→ General solution: 𝑧D = 𝑧D,b + 𝑧D,D]g\
3 3
→ 𝑧D = 𝐶𝑒 =[\ + 𝑡 −
2 4
Note that 𝑧D = 𝑧D (𝑡) !

So the position vector of every fluid particle in this flow field is of the form:
𝟑 𝟑
"⃗ = 𝑨𝒆𝟐𝒕 5⃗ + 𝑩𝒆=𝟐𝒕 6⃗ + r𝑪𝒆=𝟐𝒕 + 𝒕 − t 𝒌
"𝒓⃗𝒑 (𝒕) = 𝒙𝒑 (𝒕) 5⃗ + 𝒚𝒑 (𝒕) 6⃗ + 𝒛𝒑 (𝒕) 𝒌 "⃗
𝟐 𝟒
The constants 𝑨, 𝑩, 𝑪 depend on the history of the specific fluid particle (we need information about
where THAT fluid particle was at a specific time 𝒕 in order to identify that fluid particle, i.e. to associate
the property – position vector, here – with THAT fluid particle).

Then, the velocity of a fluid particle can be expressed as:

𝑢D = 𝑢 = 2𝑥 = 2𝑥D = 2𝐴𝑒 [\ → 𝑢D (𝑡) = 2𝐴𝑒 [\

𝑣D = 𝑣 = −2𝑦 = −2𝑦D → 𝑣D (𝑡) = −2𝐵𝑒 =[\

3 3 3
𝑤D = 𝑤 = 3𝑡 − 2𝑧 → 𝑤D (𝑡) = 3𝑡 − 2 r𝐶𝑒 =[\ + 𝑡 − t → 𝑤D (𝑡) = − 2𝐶𝑒 =[\
2 4 2

So the velocity of every fluid particle in this flow field is of the form (LAGRANGIAN DESCRIPTION):
𝟑
"𝑽 "⃗ = 𝟐𝑨𝒆𝟐𝒕 5⃗ − 𝟐𝑩𝒆=𝟐𝒕 6⃗ + r − 𝟐𝑪𝒆=𝟐𝒕 t 𝒌
"⃗𝒑 (𝒕) = 𝒖𝒑 (𝒕) 5⃗ + 𝒗𝒑 (𝒕) 6⃗ + 𝒘𝒑 (𝒕) 𝒌 "⃗ (𝟏)
𝟐
where, as before, the constants 𝑨, 𝑩, 𝑪 depend on the history of the specific fluid particle (we’re
tracking).

Alternatively, the velocity at any (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) location in the flow field at any time instant 𝒕 is (EULERIAN
DESCRIPTION):
"⃗ (𝟐)
"⃗(𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛, 𝒕) = 𝟐𝒙5⃗ − 𝟐𝒚6⃗ + (𝟑𝒕 − 𝟐𝒛)𝒌
𝑽
Equations (1) and (2) are two different descriptions (mathematical expressions) of the SAME thing (the
fluid velocity) – they will give the SAME value.
Let’s demonstrate this:

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 3 of 10
Suppose we are interested in the fluid particle that passes through the point P(1,1,3) at time 𝑡 = 1 (the particle
in part (b) of this problem). Then, for this particle,
𝑥D (𝑡 = 1) = 1, 𝑦D (𝑡 = 1) = 1, 𝑧D (𝑡 = 1) = 3
We use this condition to solve for 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 as
𝑥D (1) = 𝐴𝑒 [(y) = 1 → 𝐴 = 𝑒 =[
𝑦D (1) = 𝐵𝑒 =[(y) = 1 → 𝐵 = 𝑒 [
3 3 9
𝑧D (1) = 𝐶𝑒 =[(y) + (1) − = 3 → 𝐶 = 𝑒 [
2 4 4
Hence, the velocity of this particle as a function of time (LAGRANGIAN description) is
3 3 9
"⃗D (𝑡) = 2𝐴𝑒 [\ 𝚤⃗ − 2𝐵𝑒 =[\ 𝚥⃗ + r − 2𝐶𝑒 =[\ t 𝑘"⃗ → 𝑉
𝑉 "⃗D (𝑡) = 2𝑒 [\=[ 𝚤⃗ − 2𝑒 =([\=[) 𝚥⃗ + r − 𝑒 =([\=[) t 𝑘"⃗
2 2 2
Now, at 𝑡 = 1, the velocity of the fluid particle (LAGRANGIAN description), is
3 9
"⃗D (1) = 2𝑒 [(y)=[ 𝚤⃗ − 2𝑒 =([(y)=[) 𝚥⃗ + r − 𝑒 =([(y)=[) t 𝑘"⃗
𝑉
2 2
"⃗
""⃗𝒑 (𝟏) = 𝟐5⃗ − 𝟐6⃗ − 𝟑𝒌
→𝑽
This is the same velocity that would be obtained from the EULERIAN description of the velocity at point
P(1,1,3) at time 𝑡 = 1, i.e.
"⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ + (3𝑡 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗ → 𝑉
𝑉 "⃗(1,1,3,1) = 2(1)𝚤⃗ − 2(1)𝚥⃗ + {3(1) − 2(3)|𝑘"⃗

"⃗
"⃗(𝟏, 𝟏, 𝟑, 𝟏) = 𝟐5⃗ − 𝟐6⃗ − 𝟑𝒌
→𝑽
(this WAS the answer to part (b) of the problem !)

• Is the Eulerian description valid for velocities at other times for this particle?
Yes, of course. For instance, at time 𝑡 = 11 𝑠, the particle velocity (Lagrangian description) is:
3 9
"⃗D (11) = 2𝑒 [(yy)=[ 𝚤⃗ − 2𝑒 =([(yy)=[) 𝚥⃗ + r − 𝑒 =([(yy)=[) t 𝑘"⃗
𝑉
2 2
𝟑 𝟗
→ "𝑽"⃗𝒑 (𝟏𝟏) = 𝟐𝒆𝟐𝟎 5⃗ − 𝟐𝒆=𝟐𝟎 6⃗ + r − 𝒆=𝟐𝟎 t "𝒌⃗ (𝟑)
𝟐 𝟐
Where is this particle at time 𝑡 = 11 𝑠?
€
Well, the position vector of this particle is (with 𝐴 = 𝑒 =[ , 𝐵 = 𝑒 [ , 𝐶 = • 𝑒 [ )
3 3 9 3 3
𝑟⃗D (𝑡) = 𝐴𝑒 [\ 𝚤⃗ + 𝐵𝑒 =[\ 𝚥⃗ + r𝐶𝑒 =[\ + 𝑡 − t 𝑘"⃗ = 𝑒 [\=[ 𝚤⃗ + 𝑒 =([\=[) 𝚥⃗ + r 𝑒 =([\=[) + 𝑡 − t 𝑘"⃗
2 4 4 2 4
Then at 𝑡 = 11 𝑠,
9 3 3 9 63
𝑟⃗D (11) = 𝑒 [‚ 𝚤⃗ + 𝑒 =[‚ 𝚥⃗ + r 𝑒 =[‚ + (11) − t 𝑘"⃗ = 𝑒J [‚
𝚤⃗ + 𝑒L=[‚
𝚥⃗ + r 𝑒 =[‚ + t 𝑘"⃗
4 2 4 ƒ (yy)…ƒ † (yy)…†
NOOOPOOOQ
4 4
„ „
ˆ„ (yy)…ˆ

From the Eulerian description for

9 63
𝑥 = 𝑒 [‚ , 𝑦 = 𝑒 =[‚ , 𝑧 = 𝑒 =[‚ + , 𝑡 = 11
4 4

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 4 of 10
the velocity is
"⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ + (3𝑡 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗
𝑉
9 63 9 63
"⃗ r𝑒 [‚ , 𝑒 =[‚ , 𝑒 =[‚ + , 11t = 2(𝑒 [‚ )𝚤⃗ − 2(𝑒 =[‚ )𝚥⃗ + ‰3(11) − 2 r 𝑒 =[‚ + tŠ 𝑘"⃗
→𝑉
4 4 4 4
9 63 𝟑 𝟗
→ "𝑽⃗ r𝑒 [‚ , 𝑒 =[‚ , 𝑒 =[‚ + , 11t = 𝟐𝒆𝟐𝟎 5⃗ − 𝟐𝒆=𝟐𝟎 6⃗ + r − 𝒆=𝟐𝟎 t "𝒌⃗ (𝟒)
4 4 𝟐 𝟐

Equations (3) and (4) give the same velocity vector!

𝟗 𝟔𝟑
As before, the velocity at a point (at 𝒙 = 𝒆𝟐𝟎 , 𝒚 = 𝒆=𝟐𝟎 , 𝒛 = 𝟒 𝒆=𝟐𝟎 + 𝟒
) at a time 𝒕 (at 𝒕 = 𝟏𝟏) has the

same value whether it is expressed through the Lagrangian description (at the position of a particle at
that time instant) or through Eulerian description!

So the velocity of any fluid particle in this flow can be obtained as a function of time from the form in equation
(1) and that form (the Lagrangian description) will give you the SAME velocity as the Eulerian description of
velocity (equation (2)) - for a particle that happens to be at the location (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) at time 𝑡.

So which one of the following is easier, in order to have a complete definition of the velocity of a flow?

a) Finding and using the velocities of ALL particles at ALL times in this flow field (how many particles
are there and how many different velocity functions of time - based on the history of the individual
particle in question - does one need to obtain?) - LAGRANGIAN APPROACH
or
b) finding and using a SINGLE velocity function that describes the velocity everywhere at all times in
this flow - EULERIAN APPROACH

For obvious reasons, we prefer (almost always) the Eulerian approach in analyzing and solving Fluid
Mechanics problems.

We have performed the previous analysis for velocity but the same idea (the fact that the value of the property
is the same whether you express it in Lagrangian or Eulerian) extends to ALL fluid properties (pressure,
density, acceleration, and so on).

The Material (Subtantial) Derivative is a derivative operator that applies ONLY to the EULERIAN
description of a property, in order to ensure that the time rate of change of a particle property (time derivative

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 5 of 10
of the Lagrangian description of the property) can be obtained from the “appropriate” derivative of the
Eulerian description of the same property.

Is this (finding the material derivative of the Eulerian description of a fluid property) necessary?

Well, we generally don’t use (and don’t have) the Lagrangian decription of properties in Fluid Mechanics but
we NEED the time derivatives of THOSE properties in Lagrangian description. Material derivative allows us
to obtain this by using only the Eulerian description of properties.

For instance, the acceleration is the time derivative of the particle velocity (Lagrangian description). The flow
has acceleration because there are particles whose velocities (in Lagrangian description) are changing with
time. That is, the reason the flow has an acceleration at a point in the flow field at a time 𝑡 (Eulerian description
of acceleration) is because there is a particle at THAT point at THAT time instant that is accelerating (the
acceleration, like all other fluid properties, belongs to the particle)! Therefore, the particle acceleration 𝑎⃗D
(Lagrangian description) when this particle is at the position (𝑥D , 𝑦D , 𝑧D ) at time 𝑡, is the same as the
acceleration of the flow field 𝑎⃗ (Eulerian description) at the point (𝑥 = 𝑥D , 𝑦 = 𝑦D , 𝑧 = 𝑧D ) at time 𝑡:

"⃗D (𝑡) 𝐷𝑉
𝑑𝑉 "⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡)
𝑎⃗D (𝑡) = = = 𝑎⃗ (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡)
𝑑𝑡 𝐷𝑡

Œ
The material derivative Œ\
is the “appropriate” way of differentiating the Eulerian description of velocity

"⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) so that the above equality holds (the particle acceleration 𝑎⃗D (Lagrangian description) has the
𝑉
same value as the acceleration of the flow field 𝑎⃗ (Eulerian description) !) .

Let us demonstrate this through the previous problem:

"⃗ = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ + (3𝑡 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗, the acceleration of the flow field (Eulerian Description) was found in
With 𝑉
part (e) of the problem as
"⃗ 𝜕𝑉
𝐷𝑉 "⃗ "⃗
𝜕𝑉 "⃗
𝜕𝑉 "⃗
𝜕𝑉
𝑎⃗ = = +𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 "⃗(𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛, 𝒕) = 𝟒𝒙 5⃗ + 𝟒𝒚 6⃗ + (𝟒𝒛 − 𝟔𝒕 + 𝟑)"𝒌⃗ (𝟓)
→ 𝒂
𝐷𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
NOOOOOOOOOPOOOOOOOOOQ 𝜕𝑧
]ffŽ•Žg]\•‘’ ‘“ \bŽ “•‘R “•Ž•”
"⃗
… •]\Žg•]• ”Žg•M]\•MŽ ‘“ –
"⃗
(– ”Ž“•’Ž” ]— ] “•Ž•” “K’f\•‘’,•.Ž.
"⃗ …–
– "⃗ (ƒ,†,ˆ,\))

where
"⃗ 𝜕(3𝑡 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗
𝜕𝑉
= = 3 𝑘"⃗
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡
“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 6 of 10
 "⃗
𝜕𝑉 𝜕(2𝑥)𝚤⃗
𝑢 = (2𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 𝚤⃗
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
"⃗
𝜕𝑉 𝜕 (−2𝑦)𝚥⃗
𝑣 = (−2𝑦) = 4𝑦 𝚥⃗
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
"⃗
𝜕𝑉 𝜕(3𝑡 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗
𝑤 = (3𝑡 − 2𝑧) = (4𝑧 − 6𝑡)𝑘"⃗
𝜕𝑧 NOOOPO
𝜕𝑧 OOQ
=[

Now, any fluid particle moving in this flow field has the velocity expressed through equation (1):
3
"⃗D (𝑡) = 𝑢D (𝑡) 𝚤⃗ + 𝑣D (𝑡) 𝚥⃗ + 𝑤D (𝑡) 𝑘"⃗ = 2𝐴𝑒 [\ 𝚤⃗ − 2𝐵𝑒 =[\ 𝚥⃗ + r − 2𝐶𝑒 =[\ t 𝑘"⃗ (1)
𝑉
2
Then, the acceleration of any fluid particle in this flow (Lagrangian description) is
"⃗𝒑 (𝒕) 𝒅𝒖𝒑 (𝒕)
𝒅𝑽 𝒅𝒗𝒑 (𝒕) 𝒅𝒘𝒑 (𝒕)
"⃗𝒑 (𝒕) =
𝒂 = 5⃗ + 6⃗ + "𝒌⃗ = 𝟒𝑨𝒆𝟐𝒕 5⃗ + 𝟒𝑩𝒆=𝟐𝒕 6⃗ + 𝟒𝑪𝒆=𝟐𝒕 𝒌
"⃗ (𝟔)
𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕

Now let us concentrate at a specific fluid particle: Suppose we want to find the acceleration of a specific fluid
particle at time 𝑡 = 1 when this fluid particle is at the location P(1,1,3) at this instant (the particle in part (b)
of the problem that was analyzed before). Recall that for this particle, we had found 𝐴 = 𝑒 =[ , 𝐵 = 𝑒 [ , 𝐶 =
€
•
𝑒 [ . Then, the acceleration of this fluid particle is (Lagrangian description):
9
𝑎⃗D (𝑡) = 4(𝑒 =[ )𝑒 [\ 𝚤⃗ + 4(𝑒 [ )𝑒 =[\ 𝚥⃗ + 4 r 𝑒 [ t 𝑒 =[\ 𝑘"⃗ → 𝑎⃗D (𝑡) = 4𝑒 [\=[ 𝚤⃗ + 4𝑒 =([\=[) 𝚥⃗ + 9𝑒 =([\=[) 𝑘"⃗
4
At 𝑡 = 1 s, the acceleration of this particle (when it’s passing through P(1, 1, 3)) is
𝑎⃗D (1) = 4𝑒 [(y)=[ 𝚤⃗ + 4𝑒 =([(y)=[) 𝚥⃗ + 9𝑒 =([(y)=[) 𝑘"⃗
"⃗
"⃗𝒑 (𝟏) = 𝟒 5⃗ + 𝟒 6⃗ + 𝟗 𝒌
→𝒂

Alternatively, the acceleration of the flow at the point P(1, 1, 3) at time 𝑡 = 1 is

𝑎⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = 4𝑥 𝚤⃗ + 4𝑦 𝚥⃗ + (4𝑧 − 6𝑡 + 3)𝑘"⃗ → 𝑎⃗(1,1,3,1) = 4(1) 𝚤⃗ + 4(1) 𝚥⃗ + (4(3) − 6(1) + 3)𝑘"⃗
"⃗
"⃗(𝟏, 𝟏, 𝟑, 𝟏) = 𝟒 5⃗ + 𝟒 6⃗ + 𝟗 𝒌
→𝒂
(this WAS the answer to part (e) of the problem !)

The acceleration found through Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions are the same as expected (remember,
different “names” for the same thing!).

𝑫 𝒅
Note that here, the material derivative 𝑫𝒕
allowed us to find the time rate of change, 𝒅𝒕
, of velocity

expressed in Lagrangian description, "𝑽

"⃗𝒑 (𝒕), i.e.

𝒅 ""⃗𝒑 (𝒕)
𝒅𝑽
"𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞, "⃗𝒑 (𝒕)" =
, 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝑽
𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 7 of 10
using only the Eulerian description of velocity, "𝑽⃗(𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛, 𝒕), without having to know what the
Lagrangian description of velocity "𝑽⃗𝒑 (𝒕) is !

• In the solution of Problem 2 during the Tutorial, the Equation of the Streamline passing through point P
at time 𝑡 = 1 s was found (in closed form) as
𝟏 𝟑
𝒙= = (𝟕)
𝒚 𝟐𝒛 − 𝟑
from the solution of
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
= = → = =
𝑢 𝑣 𝑤 2𝑥 −2𝑦 3 ⏟
𝑡 − 2𝑧
…y

This streamline, given by equation (7) is actually a 3-D curve in space and the curve is formed by the
intersection of the 3-D surfaces:
1 3
𝑥 = and 𝑥 =
𝑦 2𝑧 − 3
where each equation above is the equation of a surface in 3D (remember the “closed form” representation of
lines/curves from your ME 210 class!).

A streamline is an instantaneous line (or curve) at a time instant 𝑡, that is tangent to the (Eulerian) velocity
vectors at that same time instant 𝑡 in the flow field. In other words, a streamline has “no memory of what
happened previously”, unlike the pathlines (or similarly, the streaklines) that can only be constructed using
information gathered over time.

We can find the pathline of any fluid particle in this flow field, using knowledge from our previous analyses.
For instance, let us again concentrate in the fluid particle that passes through point P(1, 1, 3) at time 𝑡 = 1 s.
Recall that for this fluid particle,
9 3 3
𝑥D = 𝑒 [\=[ , 𝑦D = 𝑒 =([\=[) , 𝑧D = 𝑒 =([\=[) + 𝑡 −
4 2 4
and the pathline of this fluid particle can be expressed parametrically wherethe paramater is time 𝑡 (remember
the parametric representation of a line/curve from ME 210) using the position vector as
9 3 3
𝑟⃗D (𝑡) = 𝑥D (𝑡) 𝚤⃗ + 𝑦D (𝑡) 𝚥⃗ + 𝑧D (𝑡) 𝑘"⃗ → 𝑟⃗D (𝑡) = 𝑒 [\=[ 𝚤⃗ + 𝑒 =([\=[) 𝚥⃗ + r 𝑒 =([\=[) + 𝑡 − t 𝑘"⃗
4 2 4
(we had found the above result earlier in this document)
Now, we can obtain the closed form representation of the pathline by eliminating the time variable 𝑡 in the
parametric representation:
1 1 1
𝑥D = 𝑒 [\=[ = = → 𝑥D =
𝑒 =([\=[) 𝑦D 𝑦D

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 8 of 10
or
1
𝑥=
y
since the position of a particle is also a point in this flow field, 𝑥D = 𝑥, 𝑦D = 𝑦, 𝑧D = 𝑧.
Also note that
ln 𝑥D ln 𝑥
ln 𝑥D = ln(𝑒 [\=[ ) = 2t − 2 → t = +1= +1
2 2
Then,
9 3 3 9 3 3 9 3 ln 𝑥 3
𝑧D = 𝑧 = 𝑒 =([\=[) + 𝑡 − = + ⏟
𝑡 − = + r + 1t −
4 2 4 4 𝑒NPQ 2
([\=[)
·¸ ƒ
4 4𝑥 2 2 4
…ƒ … ¹y
[

9 9
→ 𝑥 = →𝑥=
4𝑧 − 3 ln 𝑥 − 3 4𝑧 − ln(𝑥 º ) − 3

Then, the equation of the pathline of this fluid particle is:

𝟏 𝟗
𝒙 = = (𝟖)
𝒚 𝟒𝒛 − 𝐥𝐧(𝒙𝟑 ) − 𝟑
The pathline of this particle is actually a 3-D curve in space and the curve is formed by the intersection of the
3-D surfaces:
1 9
𝑥 = and 𝑥 =
𝑦 4𝑧 − ln(𝑥 º ) − 3
where each equation above is the equation of a surface in 3D.
Note that the line (or the curve) given by equation (8) is accumulated over time. That is, it shows the path that
this very specific (identified) fluid particle will follow over time in this flow field.

The two curves represented by equations (7) and (8) are not the same curve (because their equations are NOT
the same – BOTH equations for each line must be idential) ! So the streamline passing through point P(1, 1,
3) at time 𝑡 = 1 s is not the same as the pathline of a particle that happens to pass through the point P(1, 1, 3)
at time 𝑡 = 1 s.

The reason for this is the UNSTEADY nature of the flow: The (Eulerian) velocity is a function of time, i.e. it
changes with time here – that’s why the flow is unsteady (remember that steadiness/unsteadiness is only
defined through Eulerian representation !).

Equation (7) is the streamline passing through point P at time 𝑡 = 1 and is obtained based on the velocity feld

𝑡 − 2𝑧½ 𝑘"⃗ = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ + (3 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗. At another

"⃗ (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡 = 1) = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ + ¼3 ⏟
at this time instant, i.e. 𝑉
…y

"⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡 = 5) = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ +

time instant, say 𝑡 = 5, the velocity field is given by a different vector, i.e. 𝑉

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 9 of 10
(15 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗. That is, at different (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) points at the same time instant 𝑡, the magnitude AND the direction
of the velocity vectors are different. That is, at different time 𝑡 instances, the velocity field is given by different
vector functions, i,e. at each point (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) in the flow field, the magnitude AND the direction of the velocity
vector are changing with time. Since a streamline is tangent to the velocity vectors (or rather, the velocity
vectors tangent to the streamline), the streamline passing through point P at time 𝑡 = 5 will be different than
the streamline through the same point at 𝑡 = 1. This is the nature of unsteady flow!

From a Lagrangian point of view, in this unsteady flow, the paths of different particles that arrive at point P(1,
1, 3) at different times will diverge because their velocities are not the same at P, i.e. the velocity vector
"⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = 2𝑥𝚤⃗ − 2𝑦𝚥⃗ + (3𝑡 − 2𝑧)𝑘"⃗ at point P is
𝑉
"⃗(1,1,1, 𝑡) = 2(1)𝚤⃗ − 2(1)𝚥⃗ + (3𝑡 − 2(3))𝑘"⃗ = 2𝚤⃗ − 2𝚥⃗ + (3𝑡 − 6)𝑘"⃗
𝑉
So at each time instant 𝑡, the magnitude AND the direction of the velocity vector at point P is changing
(same conclusion as before). Any fluid particle that arrives at P will have a different velocity, dependent on
the time 𝑡 at which the particle crosses P, i.e.
The particle crossing point P at time 𝑡 = 1 has the velocity 2𝚤⃗ − 2𝚥⃗ − 3𝑘"⃗ at point P
The particle crossing point P at time 𝑡 = 5 has the velocity 2𝚤⃗ − 2𝚥⃗ − 9𝑘"⃗ at point P
The particle crossing point P at time 𝑡 = 11 has the velocity 2𝚤⃗ − 2𝚥⃗ − 27𝑘"⃗ at point P
and so on.
So the pathlines of these particles will not be the same!

"⃗ and all of the other fluid properties not dependent on time 𝑡):
Now, if the flow were steady (𝑉
• the pathlines of all fluid particles arriving at a point in the flow field, say P, at different times, will
look exactly the same (same curve).
• Likewise, the instantaneous streamlines that pass through a point in the flow field, say P, at any time
instant will look exactly the same (same curve).
• Finally, the streaklines constructed, at any time instant, by tracking the positions of all particles that
passed through the same point in the flow field, say P, will look exactly the same (same curve).
• Moreover, these streamlines, pathlines and streaklines will look exactly the same (same curve – their
equations will also beb the same!)

IMPORTANT:
In this course, I do not require you to know how to obtain (derive) the Lagrangian description of fluid
properties from their Eulerian descriptions. In this document, I showed these derivations in order to
make a point – that the Lagrangian and Euler descriptions give the same property value (“two different
names for the same thing” !). M.E.

“Ruminations on Lagrangian vs. Eulerian Descriptions, Material Derivative and Streamlines vs. Pathlines” by M. Erdal 10 of 10