Stream function

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For three-dimensional flows with axisymmetry, see Stokes stream function.

Streamlines – lines with a constant value of the stream function – for the incompressible
potential flow around a circular cylinder in a uniform onflow.

The stream function is defined for incompressible (divergence-free) flows in two

dimensions – as well as in three dimensions with axisymmetry. The flow velocity
components can then be expressed as the derivatives of the scalar stream function. The
stream function can be used to plot streamlines, which represent the trajectories of particles
in a steady flow. The two-dimensional Lagrange stream function was introduced by Joseph
Louis Lagrange in 1781.[1] The Stokes stream function is for axisymmetrical
three-dimensional flow, and is named after George Gabriel Stokes.[2]

Considering the particular case of fluid dynamics, the difference between the stream
function values at any two points gives the volumetric flow rate (or volumetric flux)
through a line connecting the two points.

Since streamlines are tangent to the flow velocity vector of the flow, the value of the
stream function must be constant along a streamline. The usefulness of the stream function
lies in the fact that the flow velocity components in the x- and y- directions at a given point
are given by the partial derivatives of the stream function at that point. A stream function
may be defined for any flow of dimensions greater than or equal to two, however the
two-dimensional case is generally the easiest to visualize and derive.

For two-dimensional potential flow, streamlines are perpendicular to equipotential lines.

Taken together with the velocity potential, the stream function may be used to derive a
complex potential. In other words, the stream function accounts for the solenoidal part of a
two-dimensional Helmholtz decomposition, while the velocity potential accounts for the
irrotational part.

Contents

[hide]

 1 Two-dimensional stream function

o 1.1 Definitions
 1.1.1 Definition by use of a vector potential
 1.1.2 Alternative definition (opposite sign)
o 1.2 Derivation of the two-dimensional stream function
 1.2.1 Flow in Cartesian coordinates
o 1.3 Continuity: the derivation
o 1.4 Vorticity
 1.4.1 Proof that a constant value for the stream function
corresponds to a streamline
 2 References
o 2.1 Inline
o 2.2 Other

Two-dimensional stream function[edit]

Definitions[edit]

The volume flux through the curve between the points and
Lamb and Batchelor define the stream function – in the point with

two-dimensional coordinates and as a function of time – for an incompressible

flow by:[3]

So the stream function is the volume flux through the curve , that is: the integral of

the dot product of the flow velocity vector and the normal to the

curve element The point is a reference point defining where the stream

function is zero: a shift of results in adding a constant to the stream function

An infinitesimal shift of the position results in a stream function

shift:

which is an exact differential provided

This is the condition of zero divergence resulting from flow incompressibility. Since

the flow velocity components have to be

and

in relation to the stream function

Definition by use of a vector potential[edit]

The sign of the stream function depends on the definition used.

One way is to define the stream function for a two-dimensional flow such that the flow
velocity can be expressed through the vector potential

Where if the flow velocity vector .

In Cartesian coordinate system this is equivalent to

Where and are the flow velocity components in the cartesian and coordinate
directions, respectively.

Alternative definition (opposite sign)[edit]

Another definition (used more widely in meteorology and oceanography than the above) is

where is a unit vector in the direction and the subscripts indicate

partial derivatives.

Note that this definition has the opposite sign to that given above ( ), so we

have

in Cartesian coordinates.

All formulations of the stream function constrain the velocity to satisfy the
two-dimensional continuity equation exactly:
The last two definitions of stream function are related through the vector calculus identity

Note that in this two-dimensional flow.

Derivation of the two-dimensional stream function[edit]

Consider two points A and B in two-dimensional plane flow. If the distance between these
two points is very small: δn, and a stream of flow passes between these points with an
average velocity, q perpendicular to the line AB, the volume flow rate per unit thickness,
δΨ is given by:

As δn → 0, rearranging this expression, we get:

Now consider two-dimensional plane flow with reference to a coordinate system. Suppose
an observer looks along an arbitrary axis in the direction of increase and sees flow crossing
the axis from left to right. A sign convention is adopted such that the flow velocity is
positive.

Flow in Cartesian coordinates[edit]

By observing the flow into an elemental square in an x-y Cartesian coordinate system, we
have:

where u is the flow velocity parallel to and in the direction of the x-axis, and v is the flow
velocity parallel to and in the direction of the y-axis. Thus, as δn → 0 and by rearranging,
we have:
Continuity: the derivation[edit]

Consider two-dimensional plane flow within a Cartesian coordinate system. Continuity

states that if we consider incompressible flow into an elemental square, the flow into that
small element must equal the flow out of that element.

The total flow into the element is given by:

The total flow out of the element is given by:

Thus we have:

and simplifying to:

Substituting the expressions of the stream function into this equation, we have:

Vorticity[edit]

See also: Vorticity

The stream function can be found from vorticity using the following Poisson's equation:

or

where the vorticity vector – defined as the curl of the flow velocity vector

– for this two-dimensional flow has i.e. only the -component

can be non-zero.

Proof that a constant value for the stream function corresponds to a streamline[edit]

Consider two-dimensional plane flow within a Cartesian coordinate system. Consider two

infinitesimally close points and . From

calculus we have that

Say takes the same value, say , at the two points and , then is tangent to the
curve at and

implying that the vector is normal to the curve . If we can show that
everywhere , using the formula for in terms of , then we will have
proved the result. This easily follows,