Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

MST326 Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics

MST326

Assignment Booklet 2 2016J

Contents Cut-o date
2 TMA 03 22 March 2017
(covering Block 3, i.e. Units 9 to 11 )
5 TMA 04 3 May 2017
(covering Block 4, i.e. Units 12 and 13, and Revision)

You may submit each TMA either by post to your tutor or electronically as
a PDF file by using the Universitys online TMA/EMA service. If you choose
to submit on paper, you must include an assignment form (PT3) and post to
the address provided by your tutor. You will find instructions on how to fill
in the PT3 form in the current Assessment Handbook.
Remember to fill in the correct assignment number as listed above, and allow
sufficient time in the post for each assignment to reach its destination on or
before the cut-o date. You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments
in case of loss in the mail.
Before starting work, please read the document Student guidance for
preparing and submitting TMAs, available from the Assessment resources
area of the MST326 website.
The marks allocated to each part of a TMA question are indicated in
brackets in the margin.
Please show your working for all questions. This will give your tutor the
opportunity to award you some marks for a question where your working is
partially correct even though you may not have the correct final answer.

Copyright c 2016 The Open University WEB 04825 4

6.1
TMA 03 Cut-o date 22 March 2017

Question 1 (Unit 9) 25 marks

The function u(x, y) satisfies the partial dierential equation
@2u @2u @u @u
x2 y2 +x y = 0. (1)
@x2 @y 2 @x @y
(a) For what values of x and y (if any) is Equation (1)
(i) elliptic, (ii) parabolic, (iii) hyperbolic? [2]
(b) Show that = xy and = x/y can be chosen as the characteristic
coordinates for Equation (1) in the region x > 0, y > 0. [5]
(c) Express each of
@u @u @2u @2u @2u
, , , and
@x @y @x2 @x @y @y 2
in terms of
@u @u @2u @2u @2u
x, y, , , , and . [7]
@ @ @ 2 @ @ @ 2

(d) Hence, using the appropriate expressions from part (c), reduce
Equation (1) to the standard form
@2u
= 0,
@ @
and deduce the general solution of the given equation. [4]
(e) Determine the particular solution that satisfies the two conditions
@u
u(x, 1) = 0 and (x, 1) = x3 . [7]
@y

Question 2 (Unit 10) 25 marks

This question concerns a uniform heat-conducting rod. The rod is insulated
along its length and also at one end (x = a), with the other end (x = 0) in
contact with ice. The temperature (x, t), at position x and time t, satisfies
the equations
@ @2
k 2 =0 (0 < x < a, t > 0),
@t @x
@
(a, t) = (0, t) = 0 (t 0),
@x
0 x
(x, 0) = (0 < x < a),
a
where 0 is a constant.
(a) By using separation of variables, with (x, t) = X(x) T (t), find an
eigenvalue problem for X(x). Assuming that all of the eigenvalues are
positive, find these eigenvalues and show that the eigenfunctions of the
problem are

(2n + 1)x
Xn (x) = sin (n = 0, 1, 2, . . .). [9]
2a

page 2 of 9
(b) Assume that any function f for which f and its derivative f 0 are
piecewise continuous on the interval 0 < x < a can be represented by
the series
X1
(2n + 1)x
an sin ,
2a
n=1

where
Z a
2 (2n + 1)x
an = f (x) sin dx (n = 0, 1, 2, . . .).
a 0 2a
Find, in the form of an infinite series, the solution to the heat
conduction problem stated at the start of the question. [10]
(c) Show that when t is very large, the temperature can be approximated by
80
(x, t) ' sin(x/2a) exp( 2 kt/4a2 ). [2]
2
(d) By applying appropriate results from Unit 10, Section 4, verify that:
(i) all eigenvalues of the problem for X(x) are positive, as for part (a); [3]
(ii) the eigenfunctions form a basis for V [0, a], as assumed for part (b). [1]

Question 3 (Unit 11) 25 marks

Consider the problem for u(x, y) given by
@2u @2u
+ 2 =0 (0 < x < 2, 0 < y < ),
@x2 @y
@u @u
(0, y) = (2, y) = 0 (0 < y < ),
@x @x
u(x, ) = f (x) (0 < x < 2),
@u
(x, 0) = g(x) (0 < x < 2).
@y
(a) Using the method of separation of variables, find the solution to the
problem when
f (x) = sin2 x cos2 x and g(x) = 0. [15]
Hint: You may find useful the identity sin2 x cos2 x = 18 (1 cos 4x).
(b) Find the solution to the problem when
x
f (x) = 0 and g(x) = . [8]

Hint: You may find useful the integral on line 11 of page 23 of the
Handbook.
(c) By applying an appropriate result and using your answers to parts (a)
and (b), find the solution to the problem when
x
f (x) = sin2 x cos2 x and g(x) = . [2]

page 3 of 9
Question 4 (Units 911) 25 marks
(a) Decide which of the following functions represent possible solutions of
the one-dimensional wave equation, stating the appropriate value of the
wave speed c in each case. State also whether the possible solutions
represent right-propagating waves, left-propagating waves, a linear
combination of right- and left-propagating waves, or standing waves.
(i) u(x, t) = 8 sin 4t sin 4x
(ii) u(x, t) = cos2 (x 5t) + (x + 5t)3
(iii) u(x, t) = (7x t2 )1/5
(iv) u(x, t) = x sin(x 2t)
(v) u(x, t) = exp(sin(7x + t)) [5]
(b) The transverse motion of a uniform semi-infinite elastic string, with a
fixed end at x = 0, is modelled by the equation
@2u @2u
= 36 (0 < x < 1, t > 0),
@x2 @t2
where u(x, t) is the displacement of the string from equilibrium at
position x and time t. Initially, the string has position and velocity
given respectively by
u(x, 0) = xe x (0 x < 1),
@u 1
(x, 0) = p (0 x < 1).
@t 2
x +1
(i) Determine the interval of dependence of the point (3, 6). [2]
(ii) Find the value of u(3, 6), giving your answer correct to two decimal
places. [5]
(c) (i) (1) Express (1 + x)2 as a linear combination of the Legendre
polynomials P0 (x), P1 (x) and P2 (x). [3]
(2) Write down, in spherical polar coordinates, the general
solution of Laplaces equation that has cylindrical symmetry
about the polar axis and which is bounded on the polar axis. [1]
(3) Hence find, in terms of R, r and , the solution of Laplaces
equation inside a sphere of radius R, centred at the origin,
that also satisfies the boundary condition
u(R, , ) = (1 + cos )2 (0 ). [6]

(ii) Suppose that v(r, ) satisfies Laplaces equation (in plane polar
coordinates) in the disc r R, and also satisfies the boundary
condition
v(R, ) = (1 + cos )2 (0 < 2).
What is the value of v(0, 0)? [3]

page 4 of 9
TMA 04 Cut-o date 3 May 2017

Your attention is drawn to Subsection 2.4.3 of the online Assessment

Handbook for undergraduate modules, which includes the following phrase:
. . . no extension to the cut-o date will normally be allowed for a modules
final assignment.
This assignment covers Block 4 (Units 12 and 13 ), as well as some revision.
Questions 1 and 2 are each allotted 25 marks, Questions 35 are each
allotted 6 marks, and Questions 6 and 7 are each allotted 16 marks.

Question 1 (Unit 12) 25 marks

Two incompressible, inviscid fluids occupy the regions 0 < z < H and
h < z < 0, respectively, where z is measured vertically upwards. The upper
fluid has density 1 and is bounded above by a fixed ceiling at z = H. The
lower fluid has density 2 (where 2 > 1 ) and is bounded below by a fixed
floor at z = h. In this question, you are asked to investigate the
propagation of small-amplitude waves at the interface between the two fluids.
The velocity potentials are denoted by 1 (x, z, t) for the upper fluid and
2 (x, z, t) for the lower fluid. Under the assumptions made on page 10 of
Unit 12, the following results may be derived. (You are not asked to derive
them.)
@2 2 @2 2
+ =0 ( h < z < 0), (1)
@x2 @z 2
@ 1 @ 2
= at z = 0 (to first order), (2)
@z @z
2 2
@ 1 @ 1 @ 2 @ 2
1 + g = 2 + g at z = 0 (to first order), (3)
@t2 @z @t2 @z
where g is the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity.
(a) (i) Write down a condition on 1 similar to that given in Equation (1)
for 2 . [1]
(ii) Write down conditions on 1 at z = H and on 2 at z = h, with
an explanation. [3]
(iii) Explain the physical basis for Equation (2). [1]
(b) To represent simple sinusoidal waves, the velocity potentials are taken
to be

1 (x, z, t) = Z1 (z) cos(kx wt),

2 (x, z, t) = Z2 (z) cos(kx wt),
for some functions Z1 (z) and Z2 (z).
Show that the propagation of such waves is feasible provided that the
(scaled) wave number k and angular frequency ! satisfy the wave
condition
gk(2 1 )
!2 = .
2 coth(kh) + 1 coth(kH)
Hence find the wave condition relating k and the wave speed c. [14]

page 5 of 9
(c) It can be shown from the results of part (b) that

dw w 2 kh cosech2 (kh) + 1 kH cosech2 (kH)
= 1+ .
dk 2k 2 coth(kh) + 1 coth(kH)
(You are not asked to derive this equation.)
(i) Use this formula to express the group velocity cg in terms of 1 , 2 ,
k, h, H and c. [2]
(ii) Show that when the wavelength is small compared to the
distance H, the group velocity reduces to

c 2 kh sech2 (kh)
cg = 1+ . [4]
2 [2 + 1 tanh(kh)] tanh(kh)

Question 2 (Unit 13) 25 marks

(a) Consider the trial velocity profile
8 4y y
>
< 0 14 ,
u 3
=
U >
:1 32 1 y 2 1 y
27 4 < 1 ,

for a laminar boundary layer flow, with zero external pressure gradient,
past a flat plate. Here u is the fluid velocity within the boundary layer,
U is the free stream velocity, y is the distance from the plate, and is
the boundary layer thickness. The fluid has density , dynamic
viscosity , and kinematic viscosity = /.
(i) Write down an expression for the displacement thickness 1 as the
sum of two integrals, and show that 1 = 38 . [5]
(ii) Similarly, show that the momentum thickness 2 is given by
143
2 = 1080 . You may use the results
Z 1/4
4 4 7
3 1 3 d = 216 ,
0
Z 1 h i
32
27 ( 1)2 1 32
27 ( 1)2 d = 1
10 . [3]
1/4

(iii) Express the shear stress 0 at the plate in terms of . Then apply
the momentum integral equation to obtain expressions for and 0
in terms of x (the distance along the plate from its leading edge). [7]
(iv) State to three decimal places the corresponding values of the
parameters
0 1 1
K1 = (Rex )1/2 , K2 = 1 2
(Rex )1/2 , K3 = , K4 = ,
x 2 U 2

where Rex = U x/. [4]

page 6 of 9
(b) Use the velocity profile of part (a) to estimate the drag force per unit
breadth exerted by the laminar flow of air past one side of a flat plate of
length L = 1 m, where U = 5 m s 1 .
For air, take = 1.80 10 5 kg m 1 s 1 and = 1.20 kg m 3. [3]
(c) Use the one-seventh power law, together with the shear stress
distribution given by Equation (3.26) in Unit 13, to estimate the drag
force per unit breadth exerted by the turbulent flow of water past one
side of a flat plate of length L = 1 m, where U = 5 m s 1 . (You may
quote results from Unit 13 as appropriate.)
For water, take = 1.0 10 3 kg m 1 s 1 and = 1.0 103 kg m 3. [3]

The remaining questions of TMA 04 are intended to prompt revision.

Questions 35 (for 6 marks each) are similar in length to questions that
appear in Part 1 of the examination, while Questions 6 and 7 (for
16 marks) resemble in length the questions in Part 2. (The Specimen
Examination Paper shows the exact format of the actual examination.)
Note that you are permitted to take the Handbook into the
examination, annotated as you wish. The Handbook includes a table of
standard integrals on pages 22 and 23.

Question 3 (Revision) 6 marks

This question concerns the CauchyEuler equation
d2 y dy
4x2 2
+ 16x 7y = 0 (x > 0).
dx dx
(a) Show that the general solution of this equation is
y = Ax1/2 + Bx 7/2
,
where A and B are arbitrary constants.
(No marks will be awarded for substituting the given general solution
into the dierential equation.) [3]
(b) Find the particular solution for which
dy
y=2 and = 3 when x = 1. [3]
dx

page 7 of 9
Question 4 (Revision) 6 marks
A vector field is defined by
v = (x2 + 2y)i + (2x + y 2 )j.
A closed path C is formed from the straight-line segments joining O (0, 0),
A (1, 0) and B (0, 1). These line segments are parametrised as follows:
OA : y = 0 and x = (0 1);
AB : x = 1 and y = (0 1);
BO : x = 0 and y = 1 (0 1).
(a) By explicitly evaluating the line integral
I
v dr,
C

show that the circulation of v around C is zero. [4]

(b) Show further that the circulation is zero when C is any closed path in
the fluid at time t = 0. [2]

Question 5 (Revision) 6 marks

A smooth-walled cylindrical pipe has diameter d = 16 cm. Oil flows along the
pipe at a mean flow speed U = 1.5 m s 1 .
For oil, take = 3.6 10 2 kg m 1 s 1 and = 0.9 103 kg m 3.

(a) By calculating the Reynolds number, show that the flow is turbulent. [2]
(b) Find the Darcy friction factor for this flow. [2]
(c) Calculate the pressure drop along a 50 m length of the pipe. [2]

Question 6 (Revision) 16 marks

Consider a film of a viscous liquid of density and viscosity flowing
steadily over a flat plate that is inclined at an angle with respect to the
horizontal plane, as shown in the diagram below. The flow is considered to
be two-dimensional on the (x, z)-plane with the height of the film denoted
as h, and there is no flow along the z-direction, so the flow can be written as
u = ui.

page 8 of 9
(a) Write down the i- and k-components of the NavierStokes equations for
this particular problem. [2]
(b) Consider the following assumptions:
(i) The flow is incompressible.
(ii) The flow is steady.
(iii) There is a body force due to the action of gravity g.
(iv) There is no pressure gradient along the x-direction.
Write down the mathematical consequences of these assumptions, and
show that the simplified NavierStokes equations reduce to
d2 u g sin dp
= , = g cos . [5]
dz 2 dz

(c) The air above the liquid film is at atmospheric pressure p0 and it does
not exert any stress on the liquid, i.e. du/dz = 0 when z = h. Derive the
velocity profile and the pressure of this problem. [6]
(d) Show that the flow rate of this problem is
g sin 3
Q= h . [3]
3

Question 7 (Revision) 16 marks

(a) Consider the eigenvalue problem
u00 + 2u0 + (1 + )u = 0, u(0) = u() = 0.
(i) Find the self-adjoint form of the dierential equation. [2]
(ii) Show that if um and un are eigenfunctions corresponding to
distinct eigenvalues of the problem, then
Z
um (x) un (x) e2x dx = 0. [1]
0

(iii) Given that the problem has only positive eigenvalues, find all of the
eigenvalues and corresponding eigenfunctions. [5]
(b) Consider the problem for u(x, t) given by
@2u @u @u
2
+2 +u=0 (0 < x < , t > 0),
@x @x @t
u(0, t) = u(, t) = 0 (t > 0),
u(x, 0) = e x (0 < x < ).
By applying separation of variables, and using your answers to part (a)
as appropriate, show that the solution to this problem for t > 0 is
1
4X 1 (x+(2n+1)2 t)
u(x, t) = e sin[(2n + 1)x]. [8]
2n + 1
n=1

Hint: You may quote any results from the Handbook as appropriate.

page 9 of 9