Aerodynamics or Quantum Collisions: Drag coefficient revision by Schrodinger's equation

TL;DR

This paper explores a novel theoretical approach using Schrödinger's equation to analyze fluid mechanics and drag coefficients, offering potential alternatives to classical Navier-Stokes calculations.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum-mechanical framework for fluid dynamics, demonstrating its application to drag coefficient calculations and wave-like properties of fluids.

Findings

Schrödinger's equation can model fluid mechanics for rigid spheres.

Simulation results align with potential theory for velocity distribution.

Potential to generalize formulas to complex geometries like airfoils.

Abstract

Despite the fact that the calculations of drag coefficient and pressure distribution for airfoils can be completed by using Navier-Stoke's equation with help of experimental parameters and advanced computer programming, a simple theoretical approach to these classical problems is still lacked. In this paper we show Schrodinger equation can in fact be a handy tool to describe the mechanics of fluids using rigid sphere in air as an example and further investigate the wave-like properties of fluids. We also provide computational results for simulations of drag coefficient, as well as a comparison to potential theory results of velocity distribution along the surface of a sphere. The final discussion will be focusing on potential generalization of the formulas to other geometrical objects (e.g. airfoils).