Chapter 4 : Momentum Equation

4. THE MOMENTUM EQUATION

4.1 Momentum Principle in Steady Flow Consider a streamtube, RQ, crossing a control box (volume), ABCD, that is fixed in space. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible and the flow to be steady. A particle at R moves to R and a particle at Q moves to Q in time t. By implication the fluid in space R-Q will have moved to R-Q.
B u1t Fw F=p2A2 Q F=p1A1 R A R D Q C u2t

Fw is the internal reaction force between the streamtube and its neighbours. The other symbols have their usual meanings. For an ideal fluid apply Newtons law of motion to the fluid quantity in respect of forces and velocities perpendicular to AB and CD, i.e. net force on a fluid is equal to the rate of change of momentum.
F =

M t

(0)

The net force is the sum of the forces on the streamtube ends and the force on the walls of the streamtube.
F = p1A1 p2 A2 + Fw
(0)

The change in momentum occurs when the fluid flows from R-Q to R-Q. It can be seen that there is a common momentum term in the fluid space R-Q. Thus change in momentum is the difference in momentums between fluids in R-R and Q-Q. Noting that momentum is mass times velocity, we have:
M = ( u2tA2 ) u2 ( u1tA1 ) u1

Thus from Newtons law we have:

2 p1A1 p2 A2 + Fw = u2 A2 u12A1

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Chapter 4 : Momentum Equation

With regard to Fw, it can be seen that by summing over all the streamtubes in ABCD, these internal reactions cancel out (since action and reaction between bodies is equal), except where the fluid touches a body. In this case, Fw reduces to a net reaction, Fb. The general momentum equation therefore is:

AB

pA pA + F
CD

2 2 = u2 A2 u1 A1 CD AB

(0)

This equation states that the net pressure force on the boundaries of ABCD minus net reaction on any body within ABCD equals the flow of momentum across the control box boundaries.

Momentum 1

Fb

Momentum 2

P1

P2

4.2 Applications of the Momentum Equation 4.2.1 Impact of a Horizontal Jet on a Vertical Stationary Plate

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Chapter 4 : Momentum Equation

B mv T

Take the case of a horizontal jet striking a vertical wall; consider control box ABCD. Mass flow into the box, m:
m = Av

where A is the area of the jet. Its momentum, M, is given by:

M = mv = Av 2

This momentum is lost to the wall, since velocity at the wall (in the horizontal direction) is zero. The change in momentum, is the net force or thrust on the wall, T:
T = Av 2
(0)

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Chapter 4 : Momentum Equation

4.2.2 Impact of an Inclined Jet on a Vertical Stationary Wall

from dh/boxer

Consider the equilibrium of forces in the x-direction.

( 0 v cos ) = T = m

This can be re-written as:

cos = Av 2 cos T = mv

For an ideal fluid, jet speed remains constant after impact. In order to find the 2m sin )flow rates, we need to invoke continuity and ( 1 +mass 1 =m
2 =m ( 1 sin ) 2m

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