Tutorial 4
Qn 1. The velocity components in a flow field are given as follows:
𝑥
𝑢 = 𝑡+𝑡 , 𝑣 = 𝑣0 , 𝑤 = 0, where 𝑡0 and 𝑣0 are constants. A coloured dye is injected at the point
0
𝐴(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0 ) in the flow field. Find (i) the equation of a coloured line visible in the flow field
at 𝑡 = 2𝑡0 , as a consequence of the dye injection, given that the dye injection starts at 𝑡 = 𝑡0 ;
and (ii) find the locus of a fluid particle that passes through the point A at 𝑡 = 𝑡0 .
Qn 2. A piston compresses gas in a cylinder by moving at constant speed V, as in the figure
below. Let the gas density and length at t = 0 be ρ0 and L0, respectively. Let the gas velocity
vary linearly from u = V at the piston face to u = 0 at x = L. If the gas density varies only with
time, find an expression for ρ(t).
Qn 3. Fluid flows through a convergent nozzle as shown in the figure below. Cross-sectional
area of the nozzle is given as 𝐴 = 𝐴0 (1 − 𝑏𝑥 ), where 𝑥 is measured from the entrance, 𝐴0 is
the cross-sectional area of the nozzle at the entrance, and b is a constant. The free stream
velocity is given as 𝑢∞ = 𝑐(1 + 𝑎𝑡), where c and a are dimensional constants. Find out an
expression for acceleration assuming inviscid flow.
Qn 4. A heated rectangular electronic chip floats on the top of a thin layer of air, above a bottom
plate. Air is blown at a uniform velocity 𝑣0 through holes in the bottom plate. For steady,
inviscid and constant density flow, find out the components of velocity and acceleration. Width
of the chip perpendicular to the plane of the figure is b.
Qn 5. The velocity components for a steady flow are given as.
𝑢 = 0, 𝑣 = −𝑦 3 − 4𝑧, 𝑤 = 3𝑦 2 𝑧. Determine (i) whether the flow field is 1D, 2D or 3D. (ii)
whether the flow is incompressible or compressible, and (iii) the stream function for the flow.
Qn 6. The velocity potential function for a flow is given by 𝜙 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 . Verify that the flow
is incompressible and then determine the streamfunction for the flow.
Qn. 7. A two-dimensional flow is described in the Lagrangian system as 𝑥 = 𝑥0 𝑒 −𝑘𝑡 +
𝑦0 (1 − 𝑒 −2𝑘𝑡 ) and 𝑦 = 𝑦0 𝑒 𝑘𝑡 . Find (a) the equation of a fluid particle in the flow field and (b)
the velocity components in the Eulerian system.
Qn. 8. A fluid is flowing at a constant flow rate of 𝑄 through a divergent pipe having inlet and
outlet diameters of 𝐷1 and 𝐷2 , respectively, and a length of L. Assuming the velocity to be axial
and uniform at any section, show that the accelerations at the inlet and the outlet of the pipe
32𝑄2 (𝐷2−𝐷1 ) 32𝑄2 (𝐷2 −𝐷1 )
are given by − and − , respectively.
𝜋2 𝐿𝐷15 𝜋2 𝐿𝐷25
Qn. 9. Consider the following two-dimensional function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦):
𝑓 = 𝐴𝑥 3 + 𝐵𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝐶𝑥 2 + 𝐷, where 𝐴 > 0
(a) Under what conditions, if any, on (𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷) can this function be a steady plane-flow
velocity potential?
(b) If you find a 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) to satisfy part (a), also find the associated stream function 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦),
if any for this flow.
Qn 10. A two-dimensional incompressible flow has the velocity potential
𝜙 = 𝑘(𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) + 𝐶 ln(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ),
where K and C are constants. In this problem, avoid the origin, which is a point of singularity
(infinite velocity). (a) Find the sole stagnation point of this flow, which is somewhere in the
upper half plane. (b) Prove that a streamfunction exists and then find 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦).