Fluid flow is characterized by a velocity vector field in three-dimensional space, within the

framework of continuum mechanics. A fluid flow (both liquid and air) may be described in two different ways: The Lagrangian Approach (named after the famous French mathematician Joseph Louis Lagrange) - one particle is chosen and is followed as it moves through space with time. The line traced out by that one particle is called a particle pathline. The Eulerian Approach (named after Leonhard Euler, a famous Swiss mathematician) - used to obtain a clearer idea of the airflow at one particular instant. One can look at a "photograph" of the flow of, for instance, surface ocean currents at a particular fixed time. The entire flow field is easily visualized. The lines comprising this flow field are called streamlines.

PATHLINES AND STREAM TUBES

o Pathlines are defined by
The suffix indicates that we are following the motion of a fluid the curve is parallel to the flow particle. Note that at point velocity vector

, where the velocity vector is evaluated at the at that time .

position of the particle

The locus of points traversed by a particular fluid particle is a pathline; it provides the history of the particle. A time exposure of an illuminated particle would show a pathline. A pathline refers to the trace of a single particle in time and space whereas a streamline presents the line of motion of many particles at a fixed time. The question of whether particle pathlines and streamlines are ever the same is considered next. A streamtube is the tube whose walls are streamlines. A pipe is a streamtube as is a channel. We often sketch a streamtube in the interior of a flow for derivation purposes.

 LAMINAR AND TURBULENT FLOW o Laminar flow, sometimes known as streamline flow, occurs when a fluid flows in parallel
layers, with no disruption between the layers. In a laminar flow there is a negligible mixing of fluid particles; the motion is smooth and noiseless, like the slow water flow from a faucet. A laminar flow could be made to appear turbulent by randomly controlling a valve in the flow of honey in a pipe.

Turbulent flow, type of fluid (gas or liquid) flow in which the fluid undergoes irregular fluctuations, or mixing, in contrast to laminar flow, in which the fluid moves in smooth paths or layers. In turbulent flow the speed of the fluid at a point is continuously undergoingchanges in both magnitude and direction. The flow of wind and rivers is generally turbulent in this sense, even if the currents are gentle. The air or water swirls and eddies while its overall bulk moves along a specific direction.

DISCHARGE
o o o o Simply called the flow rate The symbol normally used for discharge is Q It is the volume of fluid flowing per unit time, multiplying this by the density of the fluid gives us the mass flow rate. Equation of discharge:

UNIFORM FLOW

and UNIFORM FLOW

ENERGY AND HEAD o Energy is defined as ability to do work. Both energy and work are measured in Newtonmeter (or pounds-foot in English). Kinetic energy and potential energy are the two commonly recognized forms of energy. In a flowing fluid, potential energy may in turn be subdivided into energy due to position or elevation above a given datum, and energy due to pressure in the fluid. Head is the amount of energy per Newton (or per pound) of fluid.

 FRICTION LOSS o Friction loss refers to that portion of pressure lost by fluids while moving through a pipe,
hose, or other limited space. In mechanical systems such as internal combustion engines, it refers to the power lost overcoming the friction between two moving surfaces. o Friction loss has several causes, including: Frictional losses depend on the conditions of flow and the physical properties of the system. Movement of fluid molecules against each other Movement of fluid molecules against the inside surface of a pipe or the like, particularly if the inside surface is rough, textured, or otherwise not smooth Bends, kinks, and other sharp turns in hose or piping

In pipe flows the losses due to friction are of two kinds: skin-friction and form-friction. The former is due to the roughness of the inner part of the pipe where the fluid comes in contact with the pipe material, while the latter is due to obstructions present in the line of flow--perhaps a bend, control valve, or anything that changes the course of motion of the flowing fluid.