Difference between Lagrangian and Eulerian Approach
Contents
Comparison between Lagrangian and Eulerian Method
Summary:
- In a fluid motion, each fluid particle has its velocity and acceleration at any point in time.
- Velocity and acceleration of a particle may change with time or position.
- Two methods are used in the fluid motion
- Langrangian Method
- Eulerian Method

Comparison Chart
Langrangian Method | Eulerian Method |
---|---|
An observer concentrates on the movement of a single fluid particle. | An observer concentrates on the fixed point particles. |
An observer has to move with the fluid particle to observe its movement. | An observer remains stationary and observes changes in the fluid parameters at the fixed point only. |
An observer remains stationary and observes changes in the fluid parameters at the fixed point only. | The method describes the overall flow characteristics at various points as fluid particles pass. |
Not commonly used. | Commonly used. |
What is the Lagrangian approach?
- Langrangian method, the observer follows a single fluid particle during its motion and will observe the change in its properties like velocity, acceleration, density, etc
What is the Eulerian approach?
- Eulerian method, the observer concentrates on a fixed point or a region and will observe the change in velocity, acceleration, density, etc. at that point only.