For laminar film condensation on a vertical plate, the velocity distri...
An equation for the velocity distribution as a function of some distance from the wall surface can be set up by considering the equilibrium between the gravity and viscous forces on an elementary volume of the liquid film.
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For laminar film condensation on a vertical plate, the velocity distri...
From the leading edge of the plate is typically parabolic. This means that the velocity near the plate is very low (close to zero), and it increases gradually as we move further away from the plate.
In the case of laminar film condensation, a thin layer of liquid film is formed on the surface of the plate. As the vapor condenses onto the plate, it creates a boundary layer of liquid film. This boundary layer is typically very thin compared to the size of the plate, and the flow within this layer is considered to be laminar.
The velocity distribution within this laminar boundary layer can be described by the boundary layer theory. According to this theory, the velocity profile within the boundary layer is parabolic, with the maximum velocity occurring at the centerline of the boundary layer and the velocity decreasing towards the plate and towards the free stream.
This parabolic velocity profile is a result of the viscous effects within the boundary layer. The velocity near the plate is very low because of the no-slip condition, which states that the velocity of the fluid in contact with the plate is zero. As we move away from the plate, the velocity increases due to the shear stress exerted by the fluid in the free stream.
The parabolic velocity distribution is a characteristic of laminar flow and is different from turbulent flow, where the velocity profile is typically more uniform.
Overall, the parabolic velocity distribution in laminar film condensation on a vertical plate is a result of the boundary layer theory, and it describes how the velocity of the fluid changes as we move away from the plate.