Problem 6.

104 [Difficulty: 2]

Given: Stream function

Find: Velocity potential

Solution:
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂
Basic equations: Incompressibility because ψ exists u= ψ v=− ψ u=− φ v=− φ
∂y ∂x ∂x ∂y

∂ ∂
Irrotationality v − u =0
∂x ∂y

2 3
We have ψ ( x, y ) = A ⋅ x ⋅ y − B⋅ y

∂ 2 2
Then u ( x, y ) = ψ ( x, y ) u ( x, y ) = A ⋅ x − 3⋅ B⋅ y
∂y

∂
v ( x, y ) = − ψ ( x, y ) v ( x, y ) = −2⋅ A ⋅ x⋅ y
∂x

∂ ∂ 1
Then v ( x, y ) − u ( x, y ) = 6⋅ B⋅ y − 2⋅ A ⋅ y but 6⋅ B − 2⋅ A = 0 hence flow is IRROTATIONAL
∂x ∂y m⋅ s

⌠ 3
∂ A⋅ x 2
Hence u=− φ so φ( x , y ) = −⎮ u ( x , y ) dx + f ( y ) → φ( x , y ) = f ( y ) − + 3⋅ B⋅ x⋅ y
∂x ⌡ 3

∂ ⌠ 2
v=− φ so φ( x , y ) = −⎮ v ( x , y ) dy + g ( x ) → φ( x , y ) = A⋅ x ⋅ y + g ( x )
∂y ⌡

3
2 A⋅ x
Comparing, the simplest velocity potential is then φ( x , y ) = A⋅ x ⋅ y −
3