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Mechanics of Fluids

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The existence <strong>of</strong> the reaction may be explained in this way. At the vena<br />

contracta the pressure <strong>of</strong> the fluid is reduced to that <strong>of</strong> the surrounding atmosphere<br />

and there is also a smaller reduction <strong>of</strong> pressure in the neighbourhood<br />

<strong>of</strong> the orifice, where the velocity <strong>of</strong> the fluid becomes appreciable. On the<br />

opposite side <strong>of</strong> the reservoir, however, and at the same depth, the pressure<br />

is expressed by ϱgh and the difference <strong>of</strong> pressure between the two sides <strong>of</strong><br />

the reservoir gives rise to the reaction force.<br />

Such a reaction force may be used to propel a craft – aircraft, rocket, ship<br />

or submarine – to which the nozzle is attached. The jet may be formed<br />

by the combustion <strong>of</strong> gases within the craft or by the pumping <strong>of</strong> fluid<br />

through it. For the steady motion <strong>of</strong> such a craft in a straight line the propelling<br />

force may be calculated from the momentum equation. For steady<br />

flow the reference axes must move with the craft, so all velocities are measured<br />

relative to the craft. If fluid (e.g. air) is taken in at the front <strong>of</strong> the craft<br />

with a uniform velocity c and spent fluid (e.g. air plus fuel) is ejected at the<br />

rear with a velocity ur then, for a control volume closely surrounding the<br />

craft,<br />

The net rate <strong>of</strong> increase <strong>of</strong> fluid momentum backwards (relative to the<br />

craft) is<br />

�<br />

ϱu 2 r dA2<br />

�<br />

−<br />

ϱc 2 dA1<br />

Applications <strong>of</strong> the momentum equation 145<br />

(4.5)<br />

where A1, A2 represent the cross-sectional areas <strong>of</strong> the entry and exit orifices<br />

respectively. (In some jet-propelled boats the intake faces downwards<br />

in the bottom <strong>of</strong> the craft, rather than being at the front. This, however,<br />

does not affect the application <strong>of</strong> the momentum equation since, wherever<br />

the water is taken in, the rate <strong>of</strong> increase <strong>of</strong> momentum relative to the<br />

boat is ϱQc. Nevertheless, a slightly better efficiency can be expected with<br />

Fig. 4.6<br />

Fig. 4.7

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