7.

9 THE POTENTIAL FUNCTION 3 85

EXAMPLE 7.7

A flow has a velocity field defined by V = 54xy 2i + 4x 2yj6 m>s. Is it

possible to establish a potential function for this flow, and if so, what is 7
the equipotential line passing through point x = 1 m, y = 1 m?

SOLUTION
Fluid Description. We have steady flow since V is not a function of
time.
Analysis. A potential function can be developed only if the flow is

v = 4x 2y, so that
irrotational. To find out if it is, we apply Eq. 7–2. Here u = 4xy 2 and

1 0v 0u 1
vz = a - b = 18xy - 8xy2 = 0
2 0x 0y 2
Since we have irrotational flow, the potential function can be
established. Using the x component of velocity,
0f 0f
u = ; u = = 4xy2
0x 0x

Integrating,
f = 2x 2y2 + f1y2 (1)

Using the y component of velocity,

v =
0f 0
; 4x 2y = 32x 2y2 + f1y24
0y 0y
0
4x 2y = 4x 2y + 3 f1y24
0y

Integrating,

f1y2 = c
Therefore Eq. (1) becomes
f = 2x 2y2 + c
For the reference equipotential line that passes through the origin,
f = f 0 = 0, for x = y = 0, and so c = 0. Therefore, the potential
function is
f1x, y2 = 2x 2y 2
To find the equipotential line passing through point (1 m, 1 m), we
require f1x, y2 = 2112 2 112 2 = 2. Thus, 2x 2y2 = 2 or
xy = {1 Ans.
 3 86 CHAPTER 7 DIFFERENTIA L FLUID FLOW

EXAMPLE 7.8

The potential function for a flow is defined by f1x, y2 = 10xy.

Determine the stream function for the flow.
7
SOLUTION
Fluid Description. This is steady fluid flow, and because it is defined
by a potential function, the flow is also irrotational.

y Analysis. To solve, we will first determine the velocity components,

f50 c50 and then from this, obtain the stream function. Using Eqs. 7–25, we have

v =
0f 0f
c1 5 C1 u = = 10y = 10x
0x 0y
c2 5 C2
As expected, these velocity equations will satisfy the continuity equation,
x Eq. 7–11. From the first of Eqs. 7–22 for u, we have
f50
f 5 C9
0c 0c
u = ; 10y =
0y 0y
c5C Integrating with respect to y gives
c50
c = 5y2 + f1x2 (1)

Using the second of Eqs. 7–22, for v we have

(a)

v = -
c 1 5 C1 0c 0
; 10x = - 35y2 + f1x24
c 2 5 C2 0x 0x
0
10x = - 0 - 3f1x2 4
0x
Integrating,
f(x) = -5x 2 + c

Substituting this into Eq. 1, and choosing the reference streamline

passing through the origin, c = c0 = 0, where x = 0, y = 0, we get
c = 0. Therefore the stream function becomes
Flow through
a channel c1x, y2 = 51y2 - x 2 2 Ans.
(b)
For other streamlines, the flow net can be plotted by setting
Fig. 7–23 c1x, y2 = 51y2 - x 2 2 = C and f1x, y2 = 10xy = C′, and then
plotting these equations for different values of the constants C and C′.
When this is done, the flow net will look like that shown in Fig. 7–23a. If
we select two streamlines, say c 1 = C1 and c 2 = C2, to define the
boundary of a channel, Fig. 7–23b, then our solution can be used to study
the flow within the channel, assuming, of course, the fluid is ideal.