Why The Balance Principle Should Replace The Reynolds Transport Theorem

The finite control volume equations for mass, momentum, and energy are important topics in introductory fluids mechanics courses for engineering students. In most contemporary U. S. textbooks these equations are derived by transformation of the corresponding equations for a control mass using the Reynolds Transport Theorem. This paper shows that there is a much simpler path to these equations: the direct application of the balance principle to a control volume. The balance principle is easier to teach, to understand, and to apply in more complex situations. It better prepares students to understand the derivation of the partial differential equations of fluid mechanics and the finite volume equations of computational fluid dynamics. For these reasons the balance principle should replace the Reynolds Transport Theorem in introductory engineering textbooks and courses in fluid mechanics.