Wave Momentum Flux
Momentum flux in potential flow
by virtue of the transport theorem
Invoking Euler's equations in inviscid flow
We may recast the rate of change of the momentum ([math]\displaystyle{ \equiv \, }[/math] momentum flux) in the form
So far [math]\displaystyle{ V(t)\, }[/math] is and arbitrary closed time dependent volume bounded by the time dependent surface [math]\displaystyle{ S(t)\, }[/math]. Here we need to invoke an important and complex vector theorem.
Recall from the proof of Bernoulli's equation that:
By virtue of Gauss's vector theorem:
where in potential flow: [math]\displaystyle{ \overrightarrow{V} = \nabla \Phi \, }[/math].
In potential flow it can be shown that:
Proof left as an exercise! Just prove that for [math]\displaystyle{ \nabla^2 \Phi = 0 \, }[/math];
Upon substitution inthe momentum flux formula, we obtain:
Following an application of the vector theorem of Gauss. In the expression above [math]\displaystyle{ \vec{n} \, }[/math] is the unit vector pointing out of the volume [math]\displaystyle{ V(t), V_n = \vec{n} \cdot \nabla \Phi }[/math] and [math]\displaystyle{ U_n \, }[/math] is the outward normal velocity of the surface [math]\displaystyle{ S(t)\, }[/math].
This formula is of central importance in potential flow marine hydrodynamics because the rate of change of the linear momentum defined above is just [math]\displaystyle{ \pm \, }[/math] the force acting on the fluid volume. When its mean value can be shown to vanish, important force expressions on solid boundaries follow and will be derived in what follows.