Streamline Flow

We have observed that water flowing from is a tap has a smooth texture when the flow rate is low, but as the flow rate is increased, after reaching a certain value, voids and disturbances can be seen in. In such a situation, if we introduce a stream of ink when the flow is smooth, the ink flows without mixing with the other layers whereas if it is introduced in the case of turbulent flow, we can see the mixing of the layer of ink with the other layers of water as shown in the figure below. In this section, we will learn about the first kind, i.e., the streamline or the laminar flow.

Streamline Flow

What is Streamline Flow?

Streamline flow in fluids is defined as the flow in which the fluids flow in parallel layers such that there is no disruption or intermixing of the layers and at a given point, the velocity of each fluid particle passing by remains constant with time. Here, at low fluid velocities, there are no turbulent velocity fluctuations and the fluid tends to flow without lateral mixing. Here, the motion of particles of the fluid follows a particular order with respect to the particles moving in a straight line parallel to the wall of the pipe such that the adjacent layers slide past each other like playing cards.
To understand the liquid flow pattern better, click on the links provided below:

What are Streamlines?

Streamlines are defined as the path taken by particles of fluid under steady flow conditions. If we represent the flow lines as curves, then the tangent at any point on the curve gives the direction of the fluid velocity at that point.

As can be seen in the image above, the curves describe how the fluid particles move with respect to time. The curve provides a map for the flow of this given fluid, and for a steady flow. This map is stationary with time i.e., every particle passing a point behaves exactly like the previous particle that has just passed that point.

The streamlines in a laminar flow follow the equation of continuity, i.e., Av = constant, where, A is the cross-sectional area of the fluid flow, and v is the velocity of the fluid at that point. Av is defined as the volume flux or the flow rate of the fluid, which remains constant for steady flow. When the area of the cross-section is greater, the velocity of the liquid is lesser and vice versa.

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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is fluid dynamics?

In physics, fluid dynamics is a field of classical mechanics that explains the behaviour of the flow of liquids and gases.
Q2

What is a steady flow?

In steady flow, the density of the fluid remains constant at each point.
Q3

What is an unsteady flow?

In unsteady flow, the velocity of the fluid varies between any given two points.
Q4

What is meant by streamlined flows?

Streamline flow (fluids) can be defined as the flow in which the fluid moves in parallel layers where there is no interruption or interviewing of the layers. At a given point, the velocity of individual fluid particles passing by stays the same with time.
Q5

What is meant by streamlines?

Streamlines are the paths occupied by the fluid particles which are under steady flow states. If the flow lines are denoted as curves, then the tangent at any arbitrary point on the curve shows the direction of the fluid’s velocity at that point.
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