VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION | CE 413

CHAPTER 2. VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION

2.1. VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION

Let V be the resultant velocity at any point in a fluid flow. Let u, v and w be its components in x, y
and z directions, respectively. The velocity components are functions of space-coordinates and time.
Mathematically, the velocity components are given as:
𝒖 = 𝒇𝟏 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛, 𝒕)
𝒗 = 𝒇𝟐 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛, 𝒕)
𝒘 = 𝒇𝟑 (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛, 𝒕)
and Resultant velocity (V),

𝑽 = 𝒖𝒊 + 𝒗𝒋 + 𝒘𝒌 = √𝒖𝟐 + 𝒗𝟐 + 𝒘𝟐

Let ax, ay, and az be the total acceleration in x, y and z directions, respectively. Then by chain rule
of differentiation, we have
𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑦 𝜕𝑢 𝑑𝑧 𝜕𝑢
𝑎𝑥 = = + + +
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑧 𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑡
But
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
= 𝑢, = 𝑣, = 𝑤.
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Thus,
𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑎𝑥 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + 𝐸𝑞. 2.1(𝑎)
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
Similarly,
𝑑𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
𝑎𝑦 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + 𝐸𝑞. 2.1(𝑏)
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
𝑑𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
𝑎𝑧 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + 𝐸𝑞. 2.1(𝑐)
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡

𝝏𝑽
For steady flow, 𝝏𝒕
= 𝟎, where V is resultant velocity (or velocity at any direction)

therefore,
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑤
= 0, = 0, =0
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡

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Hence, acceleration in x, y and z directions becomes

𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑎𝑥 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 𝐸𝑞. 2.2(𝑎)
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑑𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
𝑎𝑦 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 𝐸𝑞. 2.2(𝑏)
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑑𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
𝑎𝑧 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 𝐸𝑞. 2.2(𝑐)
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Acceleration vector (A) is expressed as

𝐴 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑎𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑎𝑧 𝑘 𝐸𝑞. 2.3(𝑎)

𝐴 = √𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑦 2 + 𝑎𝑧 2 𝐸𝑞. 2.3(𝑏)

2.2. LOCAL ACCELERATION AND CONVECTIVE ACCELERATION

Local acceleration is defined as the rate of increase of velocity with respect to time at a given
𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒘
point in a flow field. In the equation given by equations 2.1a, 2.1b and 2.1c, the expression 𝝏𝒕 , 𝝏𝒕 , or 𝝏𝒕
is known as local acceleration.
Convective acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity due to the change of position
𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒘
of fluid particles in a fluid flow. The expressions other than 𝝏𝒕 , 𝝏𝒕 , and 𝝏𝒕 in equations 2.1a, 2.1b and 2.1c
are known as convective acceleration.

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 VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION | CE 413

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 2.1. The velocity vector in a fluid flow is given as
𝑉 = 4𝑥 3 𝑖 − 10𝑥 2 𝑦𝑗 + 2𝑡𝑘
Find the resultant velocity and acceleration of a fluid particle at (2,1,3) at time t=1.
Given: Sol’n:
u = 4x3 x=2 compute for the value of u, v and w
v = -10x2y y=1 u = 4 x (2)3 = 32 units
w = 2t z=3 v = -10 x (2)2 x 1 = -40 units
t=1 w = 2 x 1 = 2 units
Find: a. V b. A Velocity vector V at (2,1,3) = 32i - 40j + 2k

𝑉 = √322 + (−40)2 + 22 = 𝟓𝟐. 𝟏𝟔 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔

Now from velocity components, we have
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
= 12𝑥 2 , = 0, = 0 and =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
= −20𝑥𝑦, = −10𝑥 2 , = 0 and =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
= 0, = 0, = 0 and =2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
Substituting these values, the acceleration components at (2,1,3) at t=1 are
𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑎𝑥 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + = 4𝑥 3 (12𝑥 2 ) + (−10𝑥 2 𝑦)(0) + (2𝑡)(0) + 0 = 48𝑥 5 = 48(25 )
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
= 𝟏𝟓𝟑𝟔 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔
𝑑𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
𝑎𝑦 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + = 4𝑥 3 (−20𝑥𝑦) + (−10𝑥 2 𝑦)(−10𝑥 2 ) + (2𝑡)(0) + 0
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
= −80𝑥 4 𝑦 + 100𝑥 4 𝑦 = −80(24 )(1) + 100(24 )(1) = 𝟑𝟐𝟎 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔
𝑑𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
𝑎𝑧 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + = 4𝑥 3 (0) + (−10𝑥 2 𝑦)(0) + (2𝑡)(0) + 2 = 𝟐 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
Acceleration vector A at (2,1,3) = 1536i + 320j + 2k

𝐴 = √15362 + 3202 + 22 = 𝟏𝟓𝟔𝟖. 𝟗𝟖 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔

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Problem 2.2. The following cases represent the two velocity components, determine the third
component of velocity such that they satisfy the continuity equation:
(i) 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 ; 𝑣 = 𝑥𝑦 2 − 𝑦𝑧 2 + 𝑥𝑦
(ii) 𝑣 = 2𝑦 2 ; 𝑤 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑧
Sol’n: The continuity equation for incompressible fluid is given by equation 1.9
𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒘
+ + =𝟎
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒛
Case (i).
𝜕𝑢
𝑢 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 ∴ = 2𝑥
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑣
𝑣 = 𝑥𝑦 2 − 𝑦𝑧 2 + 𝑥𝑦 ∴ = 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑧 2 + 𝑥
𝜕𝑦
Substituting these values in continuity equation,
𝜕𝑤
2𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑧 2 + 𝑥 + =0
𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑤
= −3𝑥 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 2
𝜕𝑧
Integration of both sides gives

∫ 𝑑𝑤 = ∫(−3𝑥 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 2 )𝑑𝑧

𝑧3
𝑤 = (−3𝑥𝑧 − 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + )+𝐶
3

Where C (constant of integration) cannot be a function of z but it can be a function of x and y that is
f(x,y).

𝒛𝟑
𝒘 = (−𝟑𝒙𝒛 − 𝟐𝒙𝒚𝒛 + ) + 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚)
𝟑

Case (ii).
𝜕𝑣
𝑣 = 2𝑦 2 ∴ = 4𝑦
𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑤
𝑤 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 ∴ = 2𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝑧
Substituting these values in continuity equation,
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
+ 4𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑦 = 0 = −4𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 ∫ 𝑑𝑢 = ∫(−4𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝒖 = −𝟒𝒙𝒚 − 𝒙𝟐 𝒚 + 𝒇(𝒚, 𝒛)

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Problem 2.3. A fluid flow field is given by

𝑉 = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑦 2 𝑧𝑗 − (2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 2 )𝑘
Prove that it is a case of possible steady incompressible fluid flow. Also, calculate the velocity and
acceleration at point (2,1,3).
Sol’n: For the given fluid flow field
𝜕𝑢
𝑢 = 𝑥2𝑦 ∴ = 2𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑣
𝑣 = 𝑦2𝑧 ∴ = 2𝑦𝑧
𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑤
𝑤 = −2𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 𝑦𝑧 2 ∴ = −2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧
𝜕𝑧
For a case of possible steady incompressible fluid flow, the continuity equation 1.9 should be satisfied,
𝝏𝒖 𝝏𝒗 𝝏𝒘
+ + =𝟎
𝝏𝒙 𝝏𝒚 𝝏𝒛
Substituting the values,
2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦𝑧 − 2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧 = 0

Hence, 𝑽 = 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝒊 + 𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝒋 − (𝟐𝒙𝒚𝒛 + 𝒚𝒛𝟐 )𝒌 is a possible case of steady incompressible fluid flow.

>>Velocity at (2,1,3)
𝑉 = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑦 2 𝑧𝑗 − (2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 2 )𝑘 = (22 )(1)𝑖 + (12 )(3)𝑗 − [2(2)(1)(3) + (1)(32 )]𝑘 = 𝟒𝒊 + 𝟑𝒋 − 𝟐𝟏𝒌

𝑉 = √42 + 32 + (−21)2 = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟓𝟗 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔

>>Acceleration at (2,1,3)
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
= 2𝑥𝑦, = 𝑥2 , =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
= 0, = 2𝑦𝑧, = 𝑦2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
= −2𝑦𝑧, = −2𝑥𝑧 − 𝑧 2 , = −2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝑑𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
𝑎𝑥 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + = 𝑥 2 𝑦(2𝑥𝑦) + 𝑦 2 𝑧(𝑥 2 ) + (−2𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 𝑦𝑧 2 )(0) = 2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
= 2(2)3 (1)2 + (2)2 (1)2 (3) = 𝟐𝟖 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔

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𝑑𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
𝑎𝑦 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + = 𝑥 2 𝑦(0) + 𝑦 2 𝑧(2𝑦𝑧) + (−2𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 𝑦𝑧 2 )(𝑦 2 ) = 2𝑦 3 𝑧 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 3 𝑧 − 𝑦 3 𝑧 2
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
= 2(1)3 (3)2 − 2(2)(1)3 (3) − (1)3 (3)2 = −𝟑 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔
𝑑𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
𝑎𝑧 = =𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 + = 𝑥 2 𝑦(−2𝑦𝑧) + 𝑦 2 𝑧(−2𝑥𝑧 − 𝑧 2 ) + (−2𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 𝑦𝑧 2 )(−2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧)
𝑑𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡
= −2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 − 𝑦 2 𝑧 3 + 4𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 + 4𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 + 2𝑦 2 𝑧 3
= 2𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 + 4𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑧 3 = 2(2)2 (1)2 (3) + 4(2)(1)2 (3)2 + (1)2 (3)3 = 𝟏𝟐𝟑 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔
𝐴 = 𝟐𝟖𝒊 − 𝟑𝒋 + 𝟏𝟐𝟑𝒌

𝐴 = √282 + (−3)2 + 1232 = 𝟏𝟐𝟔. 𝟏𝟖 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔

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HOME ACTIVITY

1. Give at least two problems concerning convective acceleration and total acceleration of a fluid
flow field. (Show also the solution)
2. The following cases represent the two velocity components, determine the third component of
velocity such that they satisfy the continuity equation:
a. 𝑢 = 4𝑥 2 , 𝑣 = 4𝑥𝑦𝑧
b. 𝑢 = 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑦, 𝑤 = 𝑧 3 − 4𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧
3. A fluid flow is given by:
2𝑧 3
𝑉 = 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑖 − 2𝑦𝑧 2 𝑗 − (𝑧𝑦 2 − )𝑘
3

Prove that it is a case of possible steady incompressible fluid flow. Also, calculate the velocity and
acceleration at point (1,2,3).

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