Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 iii Paper 314 3 b Solution 2026-09-28
The steady Bernoulli equation isAt the regular sonic point, part a givesDefineThe isentropic flow relation and mass conservation between the stellar surface and the sonic point giveEquating the surface and sonic values of the Bernoulli function therefore yields the required relationAn outflow reaching infinity with positive terminal kinetic energy requires , henceAt the terminal state is marginal with ; larger cannot support the stipulated wind to infinity.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 iii Paper 347 1 a Solution 2026-09-28
Let denote the inward speed. Steady spherical mass conservation and the radial momentum equation for an isothermal gas giveEliminating produces the Isothermal Bondi equationA smooth flow can cross Mach number one only where both sides vanish. Its Bondi sonic point is thereforeThe integrated Bernoulli equation which approaches rest and density at infinity isAt the sonic point this gives , and hence the unique regular transonic branch has
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 ib Paper 3 7D Solution Created 2026-09-23 Updated 2026-09-25
The steady Euler equations for an inviscid fluid areTaking the scalar product with and usinggivesThusThe Bernoulli function is constant along each streamline: fluid particles in steady flow exchange pressure, kinetic, and potential energy without changing their total mechanical energy density.
Let be the downward displacement of the free surface from its initial level, and let be the speed in the tube. Conservation of volume givesThe free surface and the outlet are both at atmospheric pressure, and their vertical separation is . Applying the Bernoulli equation between them, while retaining the small free-surface speed, givesThereforeThe surface reaches the upper tube end when . Hence the draining time of a uniform tank through a siphon is
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 iii Paper 345 3 b Solution 2026-09-28
Define the indoor-to-outdoor reduced gravityBecause the whole opening lies above the interface, its indoor side contains upper-layer fluid of density . Under hydrostatic pressure, the pressure difference varies linearly about a neutral pressure level. Equal opening geometry and equal discharge coefficients for inflow and outflow put that level at the vent midpoint. At vertical distance from it, the ideal Bernoulli equation gives speed .
Potential flow around a circular cylinder Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Uniform irrotational flow of speed past a circular cylinder of radius , with zero circulation, has velocity potentialOn the cylinder, the tangential speed is , so the Bernoulli equation gives
For steady spherical isentropic flow with around a point mass, put and . Eliminating the mass density gives . With , , and , the Bernoulli equation reduces to , where . Since has its unique minimum at , a regular sonic point requires and . One transonic branch is , which has , and . The decreasing branch has inner free fall and an outer nearly static reservoir, giving Bondi accretion for inward fluid flow. A nonradiative stationary shock wave keeps fixed but raises , so increases by the factor . The inward transonic solution is the spherical , specialization of transonic accretion in a power-law tube.
Transonic accretion in a power-law tube 2026-10-05
Consider steady isentropic flow toward a Newtonian gravitational potential through a tube of cross-sectional area . Write for the inward speed and use a polytropic equation of state with specific-heat ratio . Mass conservation and the Euler equations for an inviscid fluid givewhere is the adiabatic sound speed. A regular sonic point therefore has and . The Bernoulli equation, matched to a nearly stationary reservoir with sound speed , givesFor , a finite positive sonic point requires . Differentiating the flow equation at that point, with , givesIts discriminant is , so the same bound permits real regular slopes. The branch on which the Mach number rises inward selects the negative sign inFor a spherical tube , this recovers the threshold of Bondi accretion; for a dipolar flux-tube area, gives . The tube approximation must remain valid between the reservoir matching region and the accretor.