Nine Scalar Quantities of Stress System - Stress Tensor
The set of nine components of stress tensor can be described as
 | (24.12) |
- Considering the equation of motion for instantaneous rotation of the fluid element (Fig. 24.1) about y axis, we can write
where 
=dxdydz is the volume of the element, 
is the angular acceleration
is the moment of inertia of the element about y-axis
- Since is proportional to fifth power of the linear dimensions and is proportional to the third power of the linear dimensions, the left hand side of the above equation and the second term on the right hand side vanishes faster than the first term on the right hand side on contracting the element to a point.
- Hence, the result is
From the similar considerations about other two remaining axes, we can write
which has already been observed in Eqs (24.2a), (24.2b) and (24.2c) earlier.
- Invoking these conditions into Eq. (24.12), the stress tensor becomes
 | (24.13) |
- Combining Eqs (24.10), (24.11) and (24.13), the resultant surface force per unit volume becomes
 | (8.14) |
- As per the velocity field,
 | (24.15) |
By Newton's law of motion applied to the differential element, we can write
or, 
Substituting Eqs (24.15), (24.14) and (24.6) into the above expression, we obtain
 | (24.16a) |
 | (24.16b) |
 | (24.16c) |
Since 
Similarly others follow.
- So we can express
, 
and 
in terms of field derivatives,
|
| (24.17a) |
|
|
 |
(24.17c)
|
| |
- These differential equations are known as Navier-Stokes equations.
- At this juncture, discuss the equation of continuity as well, which has a general (conservative) form
 | (24.18) |
- In case of incompressible flow ρ = constant. Therefore, equation of continuity for incompressible flow becomes
 | (24.19) |
- Invoking Eq. (24.19) into Eqs (24.17a), (24.17b) and (24.17c), we get
Similarly others follow
Thus,
| (24.20a) |
| (24.20b) |
 | (24.20c)
|
