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If I was interested in deriving an equation for the conservation of momentum for a fluid, I could write down an expression for the change in momentum density of a fluid point using the Reynolds transport theorem:

$$\frac{\partial \rho \vec{v}}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \vec{v} \otimes \vec{v}) = \vec{f}$$

I could also try to write down Newton's law from a Lagrangian perspective for a parcel of fluid:

$$\frac{D(\rho \vec{v})}{Dt} = \vec{f}$$

Transforming this into a Eulerian perspective:

$$\frac{\partial \rho \vec{v}}{\partial t} + \nabla (\rho \vec{v})\cdot\vec{v} = \vec{f}$$

This expression differs from the expression derived from the Reynolds transport theorem by a $\rho \vec{v}(\nabla \cdot \vec{v})$ term—both expressions are the same for an incompressible flow field, but not when the flow is compressible.

Did I make a mistake in applying Newton's law, or is there a valid reason for the discrepancy?

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If the left hand side is differentiated property using the product rule for differentiation, we obtain $$\frac{\partial \rho \vec{v}}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \vec{v} \otimes \vec{v}) =\rho\frac{\partial \vec{v}}{\partial t}+\vec{v}\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t}+\vec{v}\cdot\nabla(\rho \vec{v})+\rho (\vec{v}\cdot \nabla) \vec{v}$$The middle two terms drop out because of the continuity equation, so we are left with $$\frac{\partial \rho \vec{v}}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \vec{v} \otimes \vec{v}) =\rho\frac{\partial \vec{v}}{\partial t}+\rho (\vec{v}\cdot \nabla) \vec{v}=\rho\frac{D\vec{v}}{dt}$$

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  • $\begingroup$ Does that imply that the Lagrangian expression for Newton’s law I wrote above is incorrect? I would’ve expected it to include the density within the derivative, like the “traditional” analogue. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 14, 2020 at 21:58
  • $\begingroup$ Your 2nd and 3rd equations are incorrect. Just write down the starting equation in cartesian component form, and you will see that what I have done is correct. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 14, 2020 at 22:06
  • $\begingroup$ Oh don’t worry, I agree with you—I asked because I saw a derivation of Bernoulli’s law using that second equation, and was unsure if it was actually sensible to use it in cases where the flow isn’t incompressible. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 14, 2020 at 22:16
  • $\begingroup$ As a follow-up, I just realized what my mistake was: the correct way to write down a Lagrangian formulation of Newton's law requires the inclusion of a volume element! $$\frac{D(\rho \vec{v} dV)}{Dt}$$ with the usual rules of differentiating volume elements produces the right answer—the same for conservation of mass. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 15, 2020 at 22:57

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