Relation between irrotational and inviscid

  • Thread starter haisol
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Relation
In summary, the terms "irrotational" and "inviscid" are not interchangeable. A fluid is considered irrotational if it has no vorticity, while an inviscid fluid cannot generate vorticity. Viscosity can cause an otherwise irrotational fluid to develop vorticity.
  • #1
haisol
5
0
I want to know the relation between irrotational and inviscid.
Is it irrotational if the fluid is inviscid? Or inviscid if it's irrotational?

That's because my professor always write these two together as a constraint.
And he sometimes says that it can be rotational even if it's inviscid, for the case of shockwave.
Then is it always inviscid if it's irrotational? I'm so confused.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
The two terms are not one in the same. A fluid is irrotational if the curl of the velocity field is identically zero everywhere - it has no vorticity. For an inviscid fluid, vorticity cannot be generated, so a fluid that begins irrotational will remain irrotational indefinitely. For a viscous fluid, the effect of viscosity allows an otherwise irrotational fluid to generate some vorticity on its own such as in a shear layer or von-Karman shedding behind a cylinder.
 
  • #3
thank you very much!
 

FAQ: Relation between irrotational and inviscid

What is the difference between irrotational and inviscid?

Irrotational and inviscid are both terms used to describe the behavior of fluids. Irrotational means that the fluid has no net rotation or vorticity, while inviscid means that the fluid has no internal friction or viscosity. In other words, an irrotational fluid will not spin or swirl, and an inviscid fluid will flow without any resistance.

Are all irrotational fluids also inviscid?

No, not all irrotational fluids are also inviscid. While irrotational fluids do not have any net rotation, they can still have internal friction or viscosity. Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow, and it can exist even in an irrotational fluid.

What is the significance of the relation between irrotational and inviscid?

The relation between irrotational and inviscid is significant because it allows us to simplify the mathematical equations used to model fluid flow. By assuming that a fluid is both irrotational and inviscid, we can use simpler equations, which can make calculations and predictions easier.

Can a real fluid ever be completely irrotational and inviscid?

In theory, a fluid can be both completely irrotational and inviscid, but in reality, this is not possible. All real fluids have some degree of viscosity, although some may have very low viscosity. Additionally, even if a fluid is irrotational at one point, it may not be irrotational everywhere in its flow.

How does the relation between irrotational and inviscid affect the study of fluid dynamics?

The relation between irrotational and inviscid plays a crucial role in the study of fluid dynamics. By using the assumption of irrotational and inviscid flow, we can simplify complex equations and better understand the behavior of fluids in different situations. This allows us to make more accurate predictions and develop more efficient designs for various engineering applications.

Back
Top