Equations in Fluid Mechanics

Equations used in fluid mechanics - like Bernoulli, conservation of energy, conservation of mass, pressure, Navier-Stokes, ideal gas law, Euler equations, Laplace equations, Darcy-Weisbach Equation and more.

Equation NameCategoryDescriptionKey Principle
Bernoulli EquationConservation LawsA statement of the conservation of energy in a form useful for solving problems involving fluids.For a non-viscous, incompressible fluid in steady flow, the sum of pressure, potential and kinetic energies per unit volume is constant at any point.
Conservation of EnergyConservation LawsEnergy is conserved in an isolated physical system.Particular measurable properties of an isolated physical system does not change as the system evolves.
Conservation of MassConservation LawsMass can neither be created nor destroyed.The law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created or destroyed.
Continuity EquationConservation LawsA statement that mass is conserved.The Continuity Equation expresses conservation of mass in fluid flow.
Darcy-Weisbach EquationPressure LossPressure loss and head loss due to friction in ducts and tubes.Major loss - head loss or pressure loss - due to friction in pipes and ducts.
Euler EquationsCompressible FlowGovern the motion of a compressible, inviscid fluid.Corresponds to the Navier-Stokes equations with zero viscosity. Represents conservation of mass, momentum, and energy.
Laplace's EquationPotential FlowDescribes the behavior of gravitational, electric, and fluid potentials.Used for modeling potential flow in fluid mechanics.
Ideal Gas LawThermodynamicsFor a perfect or ideal gas the change in density is directly related to the change in temperature and pressure.PV = nRT or ρ = P/(RT)
Gas Mixture PropertiesThermodynamicsSpecial considerations for gas mixtures when using the ideal gas law.Individual gas constants and mixture properties must be carefully calculated.
Individual and Universal Gas ConstantThermodynamicsThe Individual and Universal Gas Constant is common in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.R_universal = 8.314 J/(mol·K), R_individual varies by gas.
Navier-Stokes EquationsViscous FlowGovern the motion of a non-turbulent, Newtonian fluid.Can be used to model turbulent flow where fluid parameters are interpreted as time-averaged values.
Mechanical Energy EquationEnergyEnergy per unit mass, per unit volume, and per unit weight involving heads.Relates pressure head, velocity head, and elevation head.
Static Pressure and Pressure HeadPressurePressure and pressure head in a static fluid.Fundamental relationships for pressure analysis in fluids.