Chapter 5
Q. 5.40
If stream function for steady flow is given by ψ= y² — x², determine whether the flow is rotational or irrotational. Find the potential function, if the flow is irrotational and vorticity, if it is rotational.
Step-by-Step
Verified Solution
Given data:
Stream function ψ=y²-x²
From the definition of stream function ψ, we get
u=\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial y}
v=-\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x}
Thus, the velocity components become
u=\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial y}=\frac{\partial}{\partial y}\left(y^2-x^2\right)=2 y
v=-\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x}=-\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\left(y^2-x^2\right)=2 x
The velocity is then \vec{V}=u \hat{i}+v \hat{j}=2 y \hat{i}+2 x \hat{j}
Hence, \frac{\partial v}{\partial x}=2
\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}=2
The rotation is given by
\omega_z=\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}-\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}\right)=\frac{1}{2}(2-2)=0
Since the rotation is zero, the flow is irrotational and hence the velocity potential exists.
For irrotational flow, the velocity potential (\phi) is defined as
u=\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x}
v=\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y}
Thus, u=\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x}=2 y
or \phi=2 x y+f_1(y)+C_1 (5.73)
And v=\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y}=2 x
or \phi=2 x y+f_2(x)+C_2 (5.74)
Comparing Eqs. (5.73) and (5.74), we have
f_1(y)=0, f_2(x)=0
Hence, the velocity potential for the flow is
\phi=2 x y+C
where C is a constant.