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Stokes approximation and artificial time

Stokes approximation and artificial time is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Stokes approximation and artificial time rather than just read about it. In short: This article provides an error analysis of time discretization applied to spatially discrete approximation of the stationary and nonstationary Navier-Stokes equations. The nonlinearity of the convection term is the main problem in solving a stationary or nonstationary Navier-Stokes equation or Euler equation problems.

Key takeaways

  • Stokes approximation and artificial time belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Stokes approximation and artificial time to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Stokes approximation and artificial time from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

This article provides an error analysis of time discretization applied to spatially discrete approximation of the stationary and nonstationary Navier-Stokes equations. The nonlinearity of the convection term is the main problem in solving a stationary or nonstationary Navier-Stokes equation or Euler equation problems. Stoke incorporated ‘the method of artificial compressibility’ to solve these problems.

Navier-Stokes equation

ρ ( ∂ v ∂ t + v ⋅ ∇ v ) = − ∇ p + μ ∇ 2 v + f . {\displaystyle \rho \left({\frac {\partial \mathbf {v} }{\partial t}}+\mathbf {v} \cdot \nabla \mathbf {v} \right)=-\nabla p+\mu \nabla ^{2}\mathbf {v} +\mathbf {f} .}

Stokes approximation The Stokes approximation is developed from the Navier-Stokes equations by omission of the convective term. For small Reynolds numbers in the incompressible flow, this approximation is more useful. Then incompressible Navier Stokes equation can be written as-

R e . ∂ t u ~ + R e . ⟨ u ~ , ∇ ~ ⟩ u ~ + R e . ∇ p ~ − Δ ~ u ~ = 0 {\displaystyle R_{e}.\partial _{t}{\tilde {u}}+R_{e}.\left\langle {\tilde {u}},{\tilde {\nabla }}\right\rangle {\tilde {u}}+R_{e}.\nabla {\tilde {p}}-{\tilde {\Delta }}{\tilde {u}}=0} .

Here linear diffusion term dominates the convection term. In the stationary problem neglecting the convection term, we get-

R e . ∇ p − Δ u = 0 {\displaystyle R_{e}.\nabla p-\Delta u=0}

Many theorems can be proved by using this process. The main problem with the solution of the incompressible flow equation is the decoupling of the continuity and momentum equation due to the absence of pressure or density term. Chorin proposed the solution for this problem of the pressure decoupling; this approach is called artificial compressibility.

∂ t ψ − L [ ψ ] = 0 where ψ = ( u 1 , u 2 , u 3 , p ) T {\displaystyle \partial _{t}\psi -L[\psi ]=0{\text{ where }}\psi =(u_{1},u_{2},u_{3},p)^{T}}

In the above equation stoke assume that at, non-stationary Navier Stokes problem converge towards the solution of the correspondent stationary problem. This solution will not depend upon the function . If this is used for the above equation consisting of Navier stokes equation and continuity equations with time derivative of pressure, then the solution will be same as the stationary solution of the original Navier Stoke problem. This process also introduce the new term artificial time as t→∞. Artificial compressibility method is combined with a dual time stepping procedure which involves iteration in pseudo-time within each physical time step. This guarantees a convergence towards the solution for the incompressible flow problem.

References Ansorge, R., Mathematical Models of Fluid dynamics

External links Madsen, P.A; Schäffer, H.A (2006). "A discussion of artificial compressibility". Coastal Engineering. 53 (1): 93–98. Bibcode:2006CoasE..53...93M. doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2005.09.020. https://books.google.com/books?isbn=3527627979

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Stokes approximation and artificial time

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Stokes approximation and artificial time claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Stokes approximation and artificial time before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Stokes approximation and artificial time ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Stokes approximation and artificial time

In research
Stokes approximation and artificial time appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Stokes approximation and artificial time in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Stokes approximation and artificial time is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Fluid dynamics, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Stokes approximation and artificial time outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Stokes approximation and artificial time in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Stokes approximation and artificial time means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Stokes approximation and artificial time out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Stokes approximation and artificial time in simple terms?

This article provides an error analysis of time discretization applied to spatially discrete approximation of the stationary and nonstationary Navier-Stokes equations. The nonlinearity of the convection term is the main problem in solving a stationary or nonstationary Navier-Stokes equation or Eule…

Why does Stokes approximation and artificial time matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Stokes approximation and artificial time?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Stokes approximation and artificial time.

Tags

  • Fluid dynamics

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