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Transport Phenomena
Vector and Tensor
Analysis
PROF. BASIM ABU-JDAYIL
CHEMICAL & PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
UAE UNIVERSITY

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Introduction

Three different types of physical quantities are used in transport phenomena: scalars (e.g.
temperature, pressure and concentration), vectors (e.g. velocity, momentum and force)
and second order tensors (e.g. stress or momentum flux and velocity gradient). It is
essential to have a primary knowledge of the mathematical operations of scalar, vector
and tensor quantities for solving the problems of transport phenomena. In fact, the use of
the indicial notation in Cartesian coordinates will enable us to express the long
formulae encountered in transport phenomena in a concise and compact fashion. In
addition, any equation written in vector tensor form is equally valid in any coordinate
system.

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Introduction

In this course, we will using the following notations for scalar, vector and tensor
quantities:

a,b,c scalar quantities

Notations: vector quantities

2nd order tensor quantities

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Cartesian coordinates and unit
vectors

A xyz cartesian coordinate system may also be conventionally written as shown below.

Here, and are the unit vectors in x, y and z direction

respectively.

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Tensor quantities

It was pointed out that the vectors also have a direction associated with them along with
a magnitude, whereas scalars only have a magnitude but no direction. Extending this
definition, we can loosely define a 2nd order tensor as a physical quantity which has a
magnitude and two different directions associated with it. To better understand, why we
might need two different directions for specifying a particular physical quantity. Let us
take the example of the stresses which may arise in a solid body, or in a fluid.
Clearly, the stresses are associated with magnitude of forces, as well as with an area,
whose direction is also need to be specified by the outward normal to the face of the area
on which a particular force acting. Hence, we will require 32, i.e., 9 components to
specify a stress completely in a 3 dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In general, an
nth order tensor will be specified by 3n components (in a 3-dimensional system).

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Tensor quantities

http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/tensors/what_is_tensor.php

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

Many times, we are interested to know how fast any physical quantity or property is
Many times, we are interested to know how fast any physical
changingquantity
with time. However,is the
or property property
changing might
with time.beHowever,
also the the
function of space
property might be also the function of space coordinates,
coordinates,
makesmakes
moremore complicated
complicated to measure.
to measure. InIn thissection,
this section,three
three different types
different types of time derivatives are discussed.
of time derivatives are discussed.

1. Partial derivative, denoted as

2. Total derivative, denoted as

3. Substantial derivative, denoted as

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

To understand the differences between these time derivatives, let us consider a

hypothetical case. A chimney produces flue gases containing SO2 and we want to
study the change in SO2 concentration with time.

Partial derivative with constant observer at

point C

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

Partial derivative
If the observer remains fixed at a particular position and determines the change in the
concentration of SO2. It is being the partial derivative that is measured. At time t=t, let
the concentration of SO2 be C1 and at time t+t, let it be C1+C1. Thus, the time
derivative, which is the measure of change in SO2 concentration is given by

While calculating the partial derivative it is assumed other

space coordinates remain constant.

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

Total derivative
If, however, the observer also changes his position with time. It is the total derivative
which is measured. Suppose at any time t = t, the observer is situated at the point A
and measures concentration of SO2 as C1. At time t= t+t, the observer has moved
and reaches a different location at point B. Let this measured concentration of SO2 be
C2 . In this case, the time derivative is

This may be called a total derivative as the change in concentration with respect to
both time and space is being considered.

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

Total derivative
Therefore, it should also include the effects of the velocity of observer.
Mathematically this time derivative may be expressed as,

Here, ux, uy and uz are the components of the velocity of the observer in the x, y and z
directions respectively.

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

Substantial derivative
It is a special case of the total derivative where the observer floats in a balloon with
the speed of the air around it. Thus, the velocity of fluid is same as the velocity of the
observer. In this case,

where vx, vy and vz are the components of the velocity of the fluid.

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

To understand the differences

between partial and substantial
derivatives, let us take a simple one
dimensional problem. Let the point A
be at the position x, and point B be
at the position x+ x. The
concentration of SO2 is a function of
both time t as well as spatial
coordinate x. As shown in the Figure,
Position of observer A ( C1 & C2 )
the concentration profile (plot of C and B ( C3 and C4 )
vs. x) changes with time.

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

Let the concentration of SO2 at the

point A be recorded at time t=t as C1
and at time t+t as C2. In the same
way, the concentration of SO2 is
recorded at point B at time t=t as C3
and at time t=t+t as C4 as shown.
The observer, starting from point A,
reaches the point B in time t . If the
velocity of the observer is ux , the
Position of observer A ( C1 & C2 )
distance traversed in time t will be and B ( C3 and C4 )
x=ux t

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

The partial derivatives can thus be computed as

The substantial derivative, is however computed as

Position of observer A ( C1 & C2 )

and B ( C3 and C4 )
This Equation shows the difference between the
partial and the substantial derivative.

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

In order to relate the two mathematically, we may

proceed as follows. From the Figure, C3 may be
written as

Furthermore, C4 can be written in terms of C3 as

Position of observer A ( C1 & C2 )

and B ( C3 and C4 )

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

Therefore,

Dividing the equation by t and taking the limit as

t 0, we have

Position of observer A ( C1 & C2 )

and B ( C3 and C4 )

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Time derivatives in transport
phenomena

Generalizing the Substantial Derivative Equation

and making it independent of the coordinate system, we may write it in vector and tensor
form as

The above definition of substantial derivative may also apply to a quantity which is
vector or second order tensor, i.e.,

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Coordinate systems

Till now, we have mostly seen and dealt with the Cartesian (or rectangular) coordinate
system. However, depending on the geometry of the problem we intend to solve, we may
find the Cartesian coordinate system too cumbersome to use. For example, consider the
flow of a fluid in a cylindrical pipe. In such a case, it may be difficult to use the Cartesian
coordinates because the boundary conditions may become extremely complicated to
write. Therefore, depending upon the geometry in consideration, we may use three
different types of coordinate systems.
1. Cartesian coordinate system
2. Cylindrical coordinate system
3. Spherical coordinate system

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Coordinate systems

Cartesian coordinate system

Cartesian coordinate system is a three dimensional
coordinate system. In this coordinate system, the space is
defined by three lines, called axes which are mutually
perpendicular to each other. These axes intersect each
other at a point called the origin. By convention, the axes
are termed as the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. Any point in
space can then be defined by the distance of the point
from the planes made by any two axes. For example, if
any point P is located in space such that the distance of P
to the yz plane is x, to the xy plane is z, and to the zx
plane is y then the coordinates of point P are (x, y, z).

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Coordinate systems

Cylindrical coordinate system

Cylindrical coordinate system is a three dimensional
coordinate system. In this coordinate system, the space
can be defined by an axis z, and a direction r and an
angle . The origin is the point lying at the intersection
of the z-axis and a reference plane. Any point P can be
specified as P(r,,z) where r is the perpendicular (radial)
distance from the z-axis to the point P; is the angle
between the reference direction on the selected reference
plane A and the line from the origin to the projection of
point P on the reference plane; z is the perpendicular
distance from the point P to the reference plane.

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Coordinate systems

Spherical coordinate system

In this coordinate system, three dimensional space can
be defined by an axis z, a direction r and a reference
plane (the xy plane of the Cartesian system). The axis z
and the reference plane are perpendicular to each other
and intersect at a point called the origin. Any point P can
be defined as P(r,,) where r is the distance of the
point from the origin; is the angle made between z-axis
and the line passing through origin and point P; is the
angle made between x direction and the line which joins
the origin to projection of point P on the reference plane.

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