Continuity Equation
This equation is a fundamental principle in physics and liquid
elements or fluid dynamics that describes the transport of some
quantity. It tells the preservation of mass within that system. It is
expressed as a mass that is neither created nor destroyed but is
conserved for a liquid flowing through a given area.
When a fluid is in motion, it must move in such a way that mass is
conserved.
To see how mass conservation places restrictions on the velocity field,
consider the steady flow of fluid through a duct (that is, the inlet and
outlet flows do not vary with time).
The inflow and outflow are one-dimensional, so that the velocity V
and density \rho are constant over the area A
Now we apply the principle of mass conservation.
Since there is no flow through the side walls of the duct, what mass
comes in over A_1 goes out of A_2, (the flow is steady so that there is
no mass accumulation). Over a short time interval \Delta t,
The continuity equation is defined as a mathematical representation of
the law of conservation of mass for a gas, stating that the mass flow
rate remains constant within a fluid system.
It can be expressed as m ˙ = ρ A V, where m ˙ is the mass flow rate, ρ
is the fluid density, A is the cross-sectional area, and V is the gas
velocity.
Flow Rate Formula
This equation expresses that the flow rate of fluid or quantities at one
point in the system is equal to the flow rate of fluid or quantities at
another point.
It works on the principle of continuity.
Consider a fluid with flow rate (Q),
the cross-sectional area (A)
and the velocity (V).
The flow rate of liquid represents the volume of liquid passing
through a given cross-sectional region per unit time.
The continuity equation for flow can be expressed as:
A1V1 = A2V2
where, A1 and A2 are the cross-sectional areas at two different end
in the fluid flow and V1 and V2 are the fluid velocities at those ends.
The product of cross-sectional area (A1 and A2) and
fluid velocity (V1 and V2) is the flow rate.
Q = A1V1 = A2V2
Continuity Equation in Integral Form
∫V ( ∂t/∂ρ + ∇ ⋅ (ρv) ) dV = −∫S (ρv) ⋅ dS
The integral form of the continuity equation is given below:
Principle Of Continuity
Here are some general principles of continuity are given :
Conservation or Preservation Of Mass: The basic thought
behind the principle of continuity is the conservation of mass that
mass is neither created nor destroyed but is conserved for a liquid
flowing through a given region or area. In a closed system, mass is
neither created nor destroyed.
Incompressibility: Incompressibility means impossible or difficult
to compress like oil and water. For incompressible liquids or fluids,
simplifies that ∇⋅v=0. This suggests that the liquid or fluid is
the density is remains constant so the equation of continuity
incompressible, and changes in speed are remunerated by changes
in cross-sectional region.
Conservation of different amounts or quantities: This equation
can be adjusted the preservation or conservation of different
quantities, like electric charge in electromagnetism.
Derivation Of Continuity Equation
Continuity Equation
Now, consider the pipe with fluid of density density (ρ) flows for a
short interval of time in the pipe, and assume that short interval of
time as Δt.
In this time Δt, the fluid will cover a distance of Δx1 with a speed or
velocity V1 at the lower end of the pipe to the upper end of pipe V2.
The distance covered by fluid in Δt will be
Δx1 = V1Δt
Now, the volume of fluid of at lower end of pipe will be
V = A1 Δx1 = A1 V1 Δt
We know that mass
(m) = Density (ρ) × Volume (V),
so the mass of liquid in Δx1 will
Δm1= Density × Volume
Δm1 = ρ1A1V1Δt ——–(Equ.1)
Now, the mass flux(the mass of the fluid per unit time passing
through any cross-sectional area) for lower end with area A1 will be
Δm1/Δt = ρ1A1V1 ——–(Equ2)
And similarly, the mass flux for upper end with area A2 will be
Δm2/Δt = ρ2A2V2 ——–(Equ3)
Now, the fluid is steady so the density of fluid remains constant with
time and mass flux at lower end is equal to mass flux at upper end.
(Equ2) = (Equ3)
Thus,
ρ1A1V1 = ρ2A2V2 ——–(Equ4)
ρ A V = constant
This proves the law of conservation of mass.
For steady flow, the density remains constant ρ1 = ρ2
Thus,
A1 V1 = A2 V2
A V = Constant
This is the derivation of continuity derivation....
Continuity Equation in Different Fields
In Thermodynamics: This equation is used in
thermodynamics to depicts the conservation or
preservation of mass and energy in the systems. It assists
us to learn how energy and mass passes or flows through
various cycles and systems.
In liquid dynamics or fluid mechanics: This equation is
used in liquid dynamics or mechanics to determines or
depicts the rate of flow of fluid or liquid and speed of fluid
while flowing. It describes that the rate of flow of liquid
entering a region must be equal to the rate of flow of liquid
leaving that region.
In Transferring of Heat: This equation is used in
transferring of heat to determine or depicts the
conservation or preservation of energy. It tells or expresses
that the flow of heat entering a area must be equal to the
heat flow leaving that area.
