Problem 6.

71
(Difficulty: 2)

6.71 A flow field is characterized by the stream function 𝛹 = 𝐴𝐴𝐴 where 𝐴 = 2 𝑠 −1 and the coordinates
are measured in feet. Verify that the flow is irrotational and determine the velocity potential 𝜙. Plot the
streamlines and potential lines and visually verify that they are orthogonal.

Find: The velocity potential 𝜙 and plot the streamline and potential lines.

Assumption: The flow is incompressible, steady, and frictionless

Solution: Apply the definitions of the stream function and the velocity potential

The flow is irrotational if the vorticity is zero. The vorticity is defined as:

𝜉⃗ = ∇ × 𝑉
�⃗

As we have for the stream function:

𝛹 = 2𝑥𝑥

The velocities u and v are

𝜕𝜕
𝑢= = 2𝑥
𝜕𝜕
𝜕𝜕
𝑣=− = −2𝑦
𝜕𝜕
Thus the vorticity is
𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕
𝜉⃗ = ∇ × 𝑉
�⃗ = � − � 𝑘� = (0 − 0)𝑘� = 0
𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕

This flow is irrotational.

For the velocity potential, u and v are given by:

𝜕𝜕
𝑢=−
𝜕𝜕
𝜕𝜕
𝑣=−
𝜕𝜕

So we have:
𝜕𝜕
= −𝑢 = −2𝑥
𝜕𝜕
 𝜕𝜕
= −𝑣 = 2𝑦
𝜕𝜕

𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) = −𝑥 2 + 𝑓(𝑦)
𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕
= = 2𝑦
𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕

𝑓(𝑦) = 𝑦 2 + 𝑐

𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) = −𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑐

Plotting the streamlines and potential lines: