Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

6 MOMENTUM EQUATION
6.1 Momentum and Fluid Flow

In mechanics, the momentum of a particle or object is defined as the

product of its mass m and its velocity v:
Momentum

= mv

The particles of a fluid stream will posses momentum and whenever

the velocity of the stream is changed in magnitude and direction,
there will be a corresponding change in the momentum of the fluid
particles.
In accordance with Newtons second law, a force is required to
produce the change, which will be proportional to the rate at which the
change of momentum occurs.
Consider a control volume in the form of a straight section of a
streamtube ABCD.

v1 t
A
A1
v1
1

v2 t C'

C
A'

A2
v2
2

B'

D'

A steady flow and uniform velocity are assumed at all points in a

given cross-section.
After a small interval of time t, the fluid originally contained in
ABCD will have moved to ABCD:
Distance AA = v1t,
Distance CC = v2t,

Since the mass of fluid remains unchanged, mass occupying

CCDD will be equal to the mass occupying AABB

P.6-1

Fluid Mechanics

i.e.

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

2 A2 v2t

= 1 A1 v1t

The momentum of the fluid ABCD will change in moving to

ABCD.
Change of
momentum of fluid
ABCD in time t

Increase of
= momentum due to
fluid CCDD

Momentum of fluid CCDD

Similarly,
Momentum of fluid AABB

Momentum of
- fluid AABB

= mass * velocity
= 2 A2 v2t * v2
= 2 A2 v22t
= 1 A1 v12t

Hence
change of momentum of fluid between AB and CD in unit time
= 2 A2 v22t - 1 A1 v12t
Dividing by t
Rate of change of momentum of fluid between AB and CD
= 2 A2 v22 - 1 A1 v12

From continuity of flow,

1 Q1
=

2 Q2

By assuming the densities of the fluid at entry and exit sections remain
the same, hence
Rate of change of momentum between AB and CD
= *(Q2v2 Q1v1)
(6.1)

According to Newtons second law, the increase of momentum per

unit time in the direction of motion, and will be caused by a force F,
such that
F = *(Q2v2 Q1v1)
(6.2)
This is the resultant force acting on the fluid element ABCD in the
direction of motion.

P.6-2

Fluid Mechanics

The value of F being positive in the direction in which v is assumed to

be positive.
For any control volume, the total force F which acts upon it in a given
direction will be made up of three component forces:
F1

= Force exerted in the given direction on the fluid in the control

volume by any solid body within the control volume or
coinciding with the boundaries of the control volume.

F2

= Force exerted in the given direction on the fluid in the control

volume by body forces such as gravity.

F3

= Force exerted in the given direction on the fluid in the control

volume by the fluid outside the control volume.

Thus,

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

F = F1 + F2 + F3 = *(Q2v2 Q1v1)

(6.3)

The force R exerted by the fluid on the solid body inside or coinciding
with the control volume in the given direction will be equal and
opposite to F1 so that
R

= -F1

(6.4)

P.6-3

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

6.2 Force exerted by a Jet striking a Flat Plate

A
v

When a jet of fluid strikes a stationary flat plate at an angel , it does

not rebound, but flows out over the plate in all direction.
In a direction normal to the surface of the plate, the velocity of the
stream will be reduced to zero and the momentum normal to the plate
destroyed.
In the direction parallel to the plate, the force exerted will depend on
the shear stress between the fluid and the surface of the plate.
For an ideal fluid, there would be no shear stress and no force parallel
to the plate. The fluid would flow out over the plates so that the total
momentum per second parallel to the plate remained unchanged.
The control volume taken is fixed relative to the plate. The x direction
is chosen perpendicular to the surface of the plate.
Force exerted by fluid on plate in x direction,
R = -F1
= F2 + F3 -*(Qoutvout Qinvin)x

The gravity force F2 is negligible and if the fluid in the jet is assumed
to be at atmospheric pressure throughout, F3 is zero. Thus,
R = - *Q*(vout - vin)x
(6.5)
= *Q *(vin - vout)x
Since vin and vout are measured relative to the control volume, which is
fixed relative to the plate, so that
(vin - vout)x = (Initial velocity - Final velocity) relative to the plate in x direction

P.6-4

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

(a) The plate is stationary

Mass entering control
volume per unit time

=
=

Mass leaving nozzle

per unit time
Av
(A = area of jet)

Initial component of velocity relative to plate in x direction

= v cos
Final component of velocity relative to plate in x direction
=0
(Initial velocity - Final velocity)x

= v cos

Therefore,
Force exerted on plate in x direction = Av(v cos)
= Av2 cos

(6.6)

(b) The plate moves in the same direction as the jet with velocity u.
u in unit time

A
v

The jet will be continually extending by a length u per unit time.

Taking the control volume as fixed relative to the plate,

Mass per unit time
entering control
volume

= Mass per unit

time leaving
nozzle
= Av - Au
= A(v - u)

- Mass per unit tiem

required to extend the
jet

Initial component of velocity relative to plate in x direction = (v - u) cos,

Final component of velocity relative to plate in x direction = 0,
(Initial velocity - Final velocity)x
= (v - u) cos
Force exerted on plate in x direction = A(v - u)2 cos
(6.7)

P.6-5

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

Worked examples:
1.

A jet of water of 22.5 cm diameter impinges normally on a flat plate

moving at 0.6 m/s in the same direction as the jet. If the discharge is
0.14 m3/s, find the force and the work done per second on the plate.

Answer
= 1000 kg/m3
= *(0.225)2/4 m2
= 0.0398 m2
velocity of jet, v = Q/A
= 0.014/0.0398 m/s
= 3.52 m/s
plate moving, u = 0.6 m/s

Density of water,
Area of jet, A

F2 = 0
F3 = 0 (free jet)
F1 = A(v - u)2 cos
= 1000*0.0398*(3.52-0.6)2 N
= 339 N (force on jet, )
Force on the plate, R = -F1
= -339 N ()
Work done on plate / sec

=F*u
= 339 * 0.6 Nm/s or J/s or W
= 204 W

P.6-6

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

In an undershot waterwheel the cross-sectional area a of the stream

striking the series of radial flat vanes of the wheel is 0.1 m2 and the
velocity v of the stream is 6 m/s. The velocity u of the vanes is 3 m/s.
Calculate the force F exerted on the series of vanes by the stream.

Answer

A, v
u

Since there are a series of vanes on the wheel, the average length of
the jet from the nozzle to the point of impact remains constant and all
the water from the nozzle strikes one or other of the vanes.
Assuming that the diameter of wheel is large so that impact is
approximately normal,
Mass of water striking vanes/sec
Initial velocity of water
Final velocity of water
change of velocity on impact
F2
Force of water on vanes, R
Density of water,
Area of jet, A
R

= Av
=v
= 6 m/s
= velocity of vanes
=u
= 3 m/s
= v-u
= F3
=0
= Av(v-u)
= 1000 kg/m3
= 0.1 m2
= 1000*0.1*6*(6-3) N
= 1800 N
= 1.8 kN

P.6-7

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

6.3 Force of a Jet on a Curved Vane

Hydraulic machinery makes use of the force of a liquid. The liquid

impinges on a series of blades or vanes connected to the periphery of a
wheel, thus driving the wheel. The vanes are usually curved for
greater effect as illustrated later.
In this chapter, we consider only the force on a stationary vane.
When a flat plate is used, the momentum normal to the plate is
destroyed.
It is more effective to change the direction of the momentum. It can
be arranged for the jet to impinge tangentially on a curved vane, so
that no momentum is destroyed and the jet is merely deflected.
In the following case, the forces parallel to and perpendicular to the
dotted line will be calculated. The blade velocity is stationary.
v1
inlet

outlet

v2

Force on jet = *Q* change of velocity of jet

= *Q *(final velocity of jet - initial velocity of jet)
Force on vane= - Force on jet
= *Q *(Initial velocity of jet - final velocity of jet)
Rx = *Q *(v1cos - v2cos)

(6.8)

Ry = *Q *( v1sin - v2sin)

(6.9)

P.6-8

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

Worked example:
Find the forces on the blade parallel to and perpendicular to the water jet at
the inlet. The jet is 50 mm diameter.
30 m/s

30 o

30 m/s

Answer
= 1000 kg/m3
= *(0.05)2/4 m2
= 1.96*10-3 m2
velocity of jet, v = 30 m/s

Density of water,
Area of jet, A


m

= Av
= 1000*1.96*10-3*30 kg/s
= 58.9 kg/s

Force on jet parallel to jet at inlet

 *(30 cos30 - 30)
=m
= 58.9*30*(1 - cos30) N
= 236.8 N
()
Force on jet perpendicular to jet at inlet
 *(30 sin30 - 0)
=m
= 58.9*30*0.5 N ()
= 883.5 N
()

()
()

()

Forces on the blade are 236.8 N () and 883.5 N ().

P.6-9

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

6.4 Force Exerted on Pipe Bends and Closed Conduits

2
1
p1
A1
v1

p2
A2
v2

y
x

on plan

The above diagram shows a bend in a pipeline containing fluid.

For a two dimensional problem, both momentum and force can be
resolved into components in the x and y directions and the one
dimensional momentum applies.
When the fluid is at rest, it will exert a static force on the bend
because the lines of action of the forces due to pressure p1 and p2 do
not coincide. If the bend tapers, the magnitude of the static forces will
also be affected.
When the fluids is in motion, its momentum will change as it passes
round the bend due to the change in its direction and, if the pipe tapers,
any consequent change in magnitude of its velocity; there must,
therefore, be additional force acting between the fluid and the pipe.
The equal and opposite force exerted by the liquid on the pipe is of
particular interest, because this force needs to be taken into account
when designing for the support of the pipe.
The control volume is bounded by the inside wall of the bend and the
inlet and outlet section 1 and 2.
 = Q
Mass per unit time entering control volume, m

P.6-10

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

The force acting on the fluid will be F1 exerted by the walls of the
pipe, F2 due to gravity (which will be zero), and F3 due to the pressure
p1 and p2 of the fluid outside the control volume acting on areas A1
and A2 at sections 1 and 2.
The force exerted by the fluid on the bend will be R = - F1.
Using the momentum equation, putting F2 = 0 and resolving in the x
direction:
(F1 + F3)x
and, since

= *Q (vout - vin)x

Rx = -F1x

(6.10)
(6.11)

Rx = F3x - *Q (vout - vin)x

Now

F3x = p1A1cos - p2A2cos

vout = Component of v2 in x direction
= v2cos,
vin = Component of v1 in x direction
= v1cos

Therefore
Rx = p1A1cos - p2A2cos - Q(v2cos - v1cos) (6.12)
Similarly in the y direction,
(F1 + F3)y
and, since

 (vout - vin)y
=m

Ry = -F1y

Ry = p1A1sin - p2A2 sin - Q(v2 sin - v1 sin) (6.13)

Resultant F

R x2 + R y2

(6.14)

P.6-11

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

Worked examples:

1.

A high pressure hose 200 mm diameter ends in a nozzle with an exit

diameter of 50 mm. The exit velocity is 40 m/s. Calculate the
longitudinal force on the nozzle when it is held horizontally.

Answer
1
2
40 m/s

d1 = 200 mm

d2 = 50 mm

By Continuity equation,
d
v1 = ( 2 ) 2 *v2
d1
50 2
) *40 m/s
=(
200
= 2.5 m/s

p2
z1

= 0 (Patm)
= z2 = 0

Apply Bernoullis equation between 1 and 2

p1 v12
p2 v22
+
+ z1 =
+
+ z2

2g
2g
p1
2.52
40 2
+
+0= 0+
+0
9.81 2 * 9.81
2 * 9.81
p1 = 796.88 kPa

F2 = 0
F = F1 + p1*A1
= F1 + 796.88**(0.2)2/4
= F1 + 25kN

P.6-12

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

Rate of change of momentum

= Q*(vout vin)
= 1000**(0.2)2/4*2.5*(40 2.5)
= 2.945 kN
F1 + 25 = 2.945
F1 = -22.1 kN
Force on the nozzle

()

= 22.1 kN

()

P.6-13

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

2. Water enters a 60 bend in a pipe with a velocity of 3 m/s and a

pressure of 100 kPa. At the beginning and end of the bend, the pipe
diameters are 400 mm and 250 mm respectively. Calculate the force
on the bend.

60o
60o

y
x

Answer

Assume that there is no loss of pressure caused by the bend

v1 = 3 m/s
p1 = 100 kPa
z1 = z2 = 0
By Continuity equation,
d
v2 = ( 1 ) 2 *v1
d2
400 2
=(
) *3
250
= 7.68 m/s

m/s

Apply Bernoullis equation between 1 and 2

p1 v12
p2 v22
+
+ z1 =
+
+ z2
2g

2g
100
32
p2
7.682
+
+0=
+
+0
9.81 2 * 9.81
9.81 2 * 9.81

p2

= 75 kPa

P.6-14

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

F31 = p1*A1
= 100**(0.4)2/4 = 12.57 kN
F32 = p2*A2
= 75**(0.25)2/4 = 3.68 kN
F31=12.57 kN
y

v1=3 m/s
y

F1y

x
F1x

v2=7.68 m/s
velocity diagram

F32=3.68 kN

force diagram

For x-direction,

F = F1x + 12.57*cos 60 - 3.68

= F1x + 2.605 kN
Q

= *(0.4)2/4*3
= 0.377 m3/s

m3/s

By momentum equation,
F = Q(vout vin)
F1x + 2.605 = 1000*0.377*(7.68 3*cos 60)/1000
F1x = -0.275 kN ()
Similarly for y direction,

F = F1y - 12.57*sin 60
= F1y 10.89 kN
By momentum equation,
F1y 10.89 = 1000*0.377*[0 (-3*sin 60)]/1000
F1y = 11.87 kN ()
Total force on the bend is 0.275 kN () and 11.87 kN ().

P.6-15

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

Class exercise 6.1:

A jet of water flows smoothly on to a stationary curved vane which turns it

through 60. The initial jet is 50 mm in diameter, and the velocity is 36
m/s. As a result of friction, the velocity of water leaving the surface is 30
m/s. Neglecting gravity effect, calculate the hydrodynamic force on the
vane.
(Rx = 1.484 kN () and Ry = 1.836 kN ())
30 m/s
60

36 m/s

P.6-16

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

Class exercise 6.2:

Determine the magnitude and direction of the x and y components of

reaction force exerted on the flowing water by the horizontal elbow and
nozzle combination shown in the figure below. The water at section 2
exists to the atmosphere.
(R = 2.879 kN)
2
160mm
y
x
2m/s

300mm

P.6-17

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

Class exercise 6.3:

Water is sprayed radially outward over 180 as in figure below. The jet
sheet is in the horizontal plane. If the jet velocity at the nozzle exit is 6 m/s,
determine the direction and magnitude of the resultant horizontal
anchoring force required to hold the nozzle in place.
(F = 114 N)

200mm

10mm

v=6m/s

P.6-18

Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 6 Momentum Equation

Tutorial Momentum Equation

1.

A square plate of uniform thickness and length of side 30 cm hangs

vertically from hinges at its top edge. When a horizontal jet strikes
the plate at its centre, the plate is deflected and comes to rest at an
angle of 30 to the vertical. The jet is 25 mm in diameter and has
velocity of 6 m/s. Calculate the mass of the plate and give the
distance along the plate from the hinge, of the point at which the jet
strikes the plate in its deflected position.
x
o
15cm

30o

A
v

2.

Sections 1 and 2 are at the beginning and end of the bend of the 200
mm diameter pipe in which the quantity of flow is 0.28 m3/s. The
angle of deflection of the water is 40. Calculate the force that the
liquid exerts on the bend if the pressure in the pipe is 50 kPa. Assume
no loss of pressure round the bend.
END

P.6-19