Fluid Flow Flashcards
What is Laminar flow?
Laminar flow is when the fluid stays in the neat layers and moves along with the boundaries sliding past each other. This is the most energy efficient method of flow and is called streamlined flow
How does Fluid flow work?
When the shear stress is applied to the top layer it will move. Due to the friction between the top and second layer it will also experience a lower shear stress in the same direction. This makes the second layer move and since the second is moving and there is friction between it and the third layer will now experience a shear stress and move. This continues down the fluid until you reach the bottom.
How is turbulence caused?
If there is an object in the way, the laminar flow is disrupted causing turbulence
If fluids try flow too quickly the frictional forces between the lamina can cause the fluid at that point to move up or down. This also disrupts the laminar flow causing turbulence.
Where in a pipe if fluid flow the fastest?
The fastest flow in a pipe is in the centre and the slowest is on the sides
Explain why the water in the middle of a river flows faster than near the banks?
Water moves most quickly when it has less resistance, so the friction of the rock slows it down but in the middle there is no support making the water flow faster.
