Blasius Flow Over A Flat Plate: Similarity Solution — Lesson 2

This lesson covers the concept of boundary layer theory and its application in fluid dynamics. It delves into the flow over a flat plate, explaining how to solve this problem using similarity transformation. The lesson also discusses the formation of the boundary layer and its thickness, known as delta. It further explains how the velocity varies inside the boundary layer and how it remains constant outside. The lesson introduces the concept of similarity transformation technique to solve the flow over a flat plate and derive the governing equations for flow. It also explains how to find the velocity profile, shear stress, total drag force, and boundary layer thickness as a function of X. The lesson concludes with the calculation of skin friction coefficient, drag force, and average skin friction coefficient.

Video Highlights

01:12 - Explanation of the formation of the boundary layer and its thickness over a flat plate.
03:14 - Derivation of the governing equations for flow by a flat plate and the boundary layer equations.
13:09 - Discussion on the continuity equation and how to write it in terms of the independent variable ETA.
37:28 - Explanation of how to find the boundary layer thickness and the skin friction coefficient.
40:45 - Calculation of the drag force acting on the flat plate and the average skin friction coefficient.

Key Takeaways

- The boundary layer theory is crucial in understanding fluid dynamics.
- The flow over a flat plate can be solved using similarity transformation.
- The velocity varies inside the boundary layer and remains constant outside.
- The boundary layer thickness, known as delta, increases with the axial direction.
- The similarity transformation technique can be used to solve the flow over a flat plate.
- The governing equations for flow are derived using the continuity equation and the momentum equation.
- The velocity profile, shear stress, total drag force, and boundary layer thickness can be calculated as a function of X.
- The skin friction coefficient, drag force, and average skin friction coefficient can also be calculated.