Navier Stokes Equation: Examples & Explanation

In summary, the Navier Stokes equation is used to describe the flow of fluids. It is a statement along the lines of ##F=\sum ma## for a continuous fluid. It is typically used for the analysis of velocity and pressure, but along with the energy equation, temperature and heat transfer are commonly sought, too.
  • #1
Niller
8
0
Hi guys.

Can somebody give mé examples for what the navier stokes equation normally are uset for.?

I do not understand or Can see, what we use it for.?

And Can someone help mé understand the equation? Like what each term is?
 
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  • #2
This article should keep you busy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navier–Stokes_equations

Ya know, the internet can be used for more than looking up porn and playing cat videos. Playing around with search engines can be fascinating: you never know what will turn up.
 
  • #3
They describe the flow of fluids. That's about all there is to it. I am not sure what you are hoping to hear.
 
  • #4
Trust mé. I have made a lot of searching.

I know it tells about the behavoir of a fluid. But what is it used for ? To find acceleration or velocity of a fluid or?

For my own understanding, it Will help mé to know, what the terms are in the equation.

ImageUploadedByPhysics Forums1388267488.908263.jpg


Maybe someone Can explain it to mé?
 
  • #5
I mean the physical meaning of the terms?
 
  • #6
It is used for all of the above. In essence it is a statement along the lines of ##F=\sum ma## for a continuous fluid. Typically velocity and pressure are the most desirable quantities, but along with the energy equation, temperature and heat transfer are commonly sought, too.

So basically, in vector notation, you have
[tex]\rho \dfrac{D\vec{V}}{Dt} = -\nabla p + \mu\nabla^2 \vec{V} + \vec{f}.[/tex]
The terms are basically force terms, where
[tex]\rho\dfrac{D\vec{V}}{Dt} = \rho \vec{a}[/tex]
is the total force per unit volume on a given fluid element on the left side, and the three terms on the right side area as follows:
  • ##-\nabla p## are the pressure forces per unit volume on the fluid element;
  • ##\mu\nabla^2 \vec{V}## are the viscous forces per unit volume on the fluid element; and
  • ##\vec{f}## is the body force per unit volume on the fluid element (e.g. gravity or magneto/electrodynamic forces).
 
  • #7
Thank you so much,, i do understand it much better now..
 
  • #8
Pick up an introductory book on fluid mechanics. It'll help you understand it more.
 
  • #9
Is the Navier Stokes equation actually used in industry?

From what I have seen in fluids calculations they're either based on the Bernoulli equation, or derived almost entirely experimentally, with the addition of friction factors added in. This is for internal flow, by the way.
 
  • #10
Perhpas it would help to understand what they are NOT used for. They are not used for 1 dimensional flow such as the flow and pressure drop of fluid through a pipe. For that, the Darcy Weisbach equation and similar equations are generally used. The NS equations COULD be used for that but in general, the equations can't be solved for any but the most simple systems and any real piping system would be far too complex.

The NS equations are generally used by computers running CFD programs. The flow field is discretized such as by reducing to finite volumes or elements, and the equations are then linearized to allow them to be solved algebraically. The use of CFD software is generally limited to fairly complex fluid flows where 2 or 3 dimensional flow needs to be analyzed such as flow through a turbine for example or across an aircraft. Flow through valves and piping is rarely analyzed using CFD.
 
  • #11
Ah okay, thanks for that.

Was just curious, as I never actually dealt with the NS equation during my undergrad and was wondering if I was "missing out" on anything. The fluids taught to me was mainly internal flow, where we made use of the Bernoulli equation, the Darcy–Weisbach equation, alongside all sorts of other experimentally derived equations to calculate liquid and gas flow through piping, valves, instrumentation etc.
 

Related to Navier Stokes Equation: Examples & Explanation

1. What is the Navier-Stokes equation?

The Navier-Stokes equation is a set of mathematical equations that describe the motion of fluids, including liquids and gases. It is based on the principles of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, and is widely used in many fields of science and engineering.

2. What is an example of where the Navier-Stokes equation is used?

The Navier-Stokes equation is used in many applications, such as predicting weather patterns, designing aircraft and cars, and understanding blood flow in the human body. It is also used in computer simulations to study fluid dynamics in various scenarios.

3. Can the Navier-Stokes equation be solved analytically?

No, the Navier-Stokes equation cannot be solved analytically in most cases. This is because it is a non-linear partial differential equation, meaning that its solution depends on the values of the variables at multiple points in space and time. Therefore, numerical methods are typically used to solve the equation.

4. What are the assumptions made in the Navier-Stokes equation?

The Navier-Stokes equation assumes that fluids are incompressible (i.e. their density does not change with pressure), and that they have no external forces acting on them apart from gravity. It also assumes that the fluid is continuous and that the flow is laminar (smooth and well-ordered).

5. Are there any limitations to the Navier-Stokes equation?

Yes, the Navier-Stokes equation has some limitations. It is not accurate for high-speed and high-pressure flows, as it does not take into account compressibility effects. It also does not account for turbulence, which is a chaotic and unpredictable behavior of fluids at certain conditions.

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