15.5.4. Steady Flow Mass Conservation Equation

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define the conservation of mass in your own words.

   Hint

   Think about how mass is neither created nor destroyed.

2. 2.

   What is a fixed control volume?

   Hint

   Consider a container that remains in the same place.

3. 3.

   True or False: Conservation of mass is only applicable to incompressible fluids.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider if mass can ever change form in fluid dynamics.

4. 4.

   What is a key feature of moving control volumes?

   • They do not change shape over time.
   • They move with the fluid flow.
   • They contain multiple fluids.

   Hint

   What distinguishes a moving control volume from a fixed one?

5. 5.

   Given a cylindrical tank with a consistent inflow and outflow rate, calculate the time it takes for the tank to fill up. Assume the input and output rates are equal.

   Hint

   Focus on the conservation principle; if inputs equal outputs, the volume remains unchanged.

6. 6.

   Analyze a scenario where a ship moves through a river. How does the relative velocity between the ship and water affect the mass flow rate?

   Hint

   Estimate the fluid velocity concerning the ship's movement.