On Λ-Fractional fluid mechanics

Abstract

Λ-fractional analysis has already been presented as the only fractional analysis conforming with the Differential Topology prerequisites. That is, the Leibniz rule and chain rule do not apply to other fractional derivatives; This, according to Differential Topology, makes the definition of a differential impossible for these derivatives. Therefore, this leaves Λ-fractional analysis the only analysis generating differential geometry necessary to establish the governing laws in physics and mechanics. Hence, it is most necessary to use Λ-fractional derivative and Λ-fractional transformation to describe fractional mathematical models. Other fractional “derivatives” are not proper derivatives, according to Differential Topology; they are just operators. This fact makes their application to mathematical problems questionable while Λ-derivative faces no such problems. Basic Fluid Mechanics equations are studied and revised under the prism of Λ-Fractional Continuum Mechanics (Λ-FCM). Extending the already presented principles of Continuum Mechanics in the area of solids into the area of fluids, the basic Λ-fractional fluid equations concerning the Navier-Stokes, Euler, and Bernoulli flows are derived, and the Λ-fractional Darcy’s flow in porous media is studied. Since global minimization of the various fields is accepted only in the Λ-fractional analysis, shocks in the Λ-fractional motion of fluids are exhibited.