Bernoulli’s Equation for Frictionless Fluid Flow
Consider the frictionless flow between two streamlines:
Note: streamlines are lines that describe the direction of the flow.
These lines are parallel to the flow velocity vector. So: mass can only flow along a
streamline but not across it.
>>> Mass flow between any two streamlines remains constant
CV
m s
A m
m A+dA
NO FLOW CAN CROSS A STREAMLINE
s: coordinate system along the streamline
Bernoulli’s Equation for Frictionless Fluid Flow
Let’s write the linear momentum conservation for the CV between the two streamlines
we just described:
Assumptions:
1) Frictionless flow
2) Constant density or incompressible
Derivation of the Bernoulli Equation
Bernoulli Equation
General Steady flow:
Steady, incompressible flow:
The Bernoulli equation between any two
points on the same streamline:
Bernoulli’s Equation for Frictionless Fluid Flow
Bernoulli equation: An approximate relation between pressure, velocity, &
elevation, and is valid in regions of steady, incompressible flow where net
frictional forces are negligible.
The Bernoulli approximation is typically
useful in flow regions outside of
boundary layers and wakes, where the
fluid motion is governed by the combined
effects of pressure and body forces.
Bernoulli’s Equation for Frictionless Fluid Flow
• The Bernoulli equation can be viewed as the
“conservation of mechanical energy principle.”
• The Bernoulli equation states that during steady,
incompressible flow with negligible friction, the various
forms of mechanical energy are converted to each
other, but their sum remains constant.
• There is no dissipation of mechanical energy during such
flows since there is no friction that converts mechanical
The Bernoulli equation states that energy to thermal (internal) energy.
the sum of the kinetic, potential, &
• The Bernoulli equation is commonly used in practice
flow energies of a fluid particle is
since a variety of practical fluid flow problems can be
constant along a streamline during
analyzed to reasonable accuracy with it.
steady flow when compressibility &
frictional effects are negligible.
Forms of Bernoulli’s Equation for Frictionless
Fluid Flow
𝑝 𝑉2
1 + + 𝑔𝑧 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 (𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒)
𝜌 2
1 2
2 𝑝 + 𝜌𝑉 + 𝛾𝑧 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 (𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒)
2
𝑝 𝑉2 𝑝 𝑉2
3 + +𝑧 = + +𝑧
𝛾 2𝑔 1
𝛾 2𝑔 2
Equation 3:
• Each term in this equation has units of length (m or ft) & represents a certain type of head.
• The elevation term, z, is related to the potential energy of the particle and is called the
elevation head.
• The pressure term, p/γ, is called the pressure head and represents the height of a column
of the fluid that is needed to produce the pressure p.
• The velocity term, V2/2g, is the velocity head and represents the vertical distance needed
for the fluid to fall freely (neglecting friction) if it is to reach velocity V from rest.
• The Bernoulli equation states that the sum of the pressure head, the velocity head, and the
elevation head is constant along a streamline.
Limitations on the Use of Bernoulli’s Equation
1. Steady flow The Bernoulli equation is applicable to steady flow.
2. Frictionless flow Every flow involves some friction, no matter how small, and
frictional effects may or may not be negligible.
3. No shaft work The Bernoulli equation is not applicable in a flow section that involves a
pump, turbine, fan, or any other machine or impeller since such devices destroy the
streamlines and carry out energy interactions with the fluid particles. When these
devices exist, the energy equation should be used instead.
4. Incompressible flow Density is taken constant in the derivation of the Bernoulli
equation. The flow is incompressible for liquids and also for gases at Mach numbers
less than about 0.3.
5. No heat transfer The density of a gas is inversely proportional to temperature, and
thus the Bernoulli equation should not be used for flow sections that involve
significant temperature change such as heating or cooling sections.
6. Flow along a streamline the Bernoulli equation is applicable along a streamline.
Static, Dynamic, and Stagnation Pressures
The kinetic and potential energies of the fluid can be converted to flow energy (and vice
versa) during flow, causing the pressure to change.
Multiplying the Bernoulli equation by the density gives:
P: is the static pressure. It does not incorporate any dynamic effects.
ρV2/2: is the dynamic pressure.
ρgz: is the hydrostatic pressure. It is not pressure in a real sense since its value depends on the
reference level selected; it accounts for the elevation effects, i.e., fluid weight.
Total pressure: The sum of the static, dynamic, and hydrostatic pressures. Therefore, the
Bernoulli equation states that the total pressure along a streamline is constant.
Static, Dynamic, and Stagnation Pressures
It can be shown that there is a stagnation point (V=0) on any stationary body that is placed
into a flowing fluid. Some of the fluid flows “over” and some “under” the object. The
dividing line or surface for 2-D flows is termed the stagnation streamline and terminates at
the stagnation point on the body. For symmetrical objects such as a baseball the stagnation
point is clearly at the tip or front of the object.
If elevation effects are neglected,
the stagnation pressure, p + ρV2/2,
is the largest pressure obtainable
along a given streamline. It
represents the conversion of all the
kinetic energy into a pressure rise.
Static, Dynamic, and Stagnation Pressures
Stagnation pressure: The sum of the static and dynamic pressures. It represents the
pressure at a point where the fluid is brought to a complete stop (V=0).
Close-up of a Pitot-static probe, showing the
stagnation pressure hole and two of the five
static circumferential pressure holes. It is used
to measure the speed of the flow by measuring The static pressure is measured using a
the stagnation & the static pressures. piezometer.
Example-Frictionless Fluid Flow
Problem 3.127
Example-Frictionless Fluid Flow
Problem 3.127
PRESSURE CONDITION AT JET EXIT:
PRESSURE IN JET = SURROUNDING PRESSURE
Example-Frictionless Fluid Flow
Problem 3.124
Example-Frictionless Fluid Flow
Problem 3.124
Example-Frictionless Fluid Flow
Problem 3.136
Example-Frictionless Fluid Flow
Problem 3.136
