Calculate the stream function and velocity potential.Using your results, show that lines of constant \( \phi\) are perpendicular to lines of constant \(\psi\).

Assuming the velocity field given as \(u = cx\) and \(v = −cy\), where \(c\) is a constant pertains to an incompressible flow, calculate the stream function and velocity potential.Using your results, show that lines of constant \(\phi\) are perpendicular to lines of constant \(\psi\).

techAir Asked on 30th October 2019 in Aerodynamics.
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    \(x\) and \(y\) components of velocity are given by \(u=cx\) and \(v=-cy\).We need to calculate the stream function and velocity potential.Here

    \[u=cx
    \\\frac{\partial \psi }{\partial y}=cx
    \\\Rightarrow \partial \psi=cx\partial y
    \\\Rightarrow \psi=cxy+f(x)
    \\v=-cy=-\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x}
    \\\Rightarrow \psi=cxy+f(y)\]

    Here f(x) and f(y) are constants:

    \[\psi=cxy+const.
    \\u=cx=\frac{d\phi}{dx}
    \\\Rightarrow d\phi=cxdx
    \\\Rightarrow \phi=cx^{2}+f(y)
    \\v=-cy=\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y}:\phi=-cy^{2}+f(x)\]

    Therefore \[f(y)=-cy^{2}\;and \;f(x)=cx^{2}\]

    and \[\phi=c\left ( x^{2}-y^{2} \right )
    \\\psi=cxy+const.\]

    Differentiating the above equation of \(\psi\) with respect to ‘\( x\)’, holding \(\psi=constant\)

    \[\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x}=cx\frac{dy}{dx}+cy\]

    or \[\left ( \frac{dy}{dx} \right )_{\psi=constant}=\left ( \frac{-y}{x} \right )\]

    Differentiating the above equation of \(\phi\) with respect to ‘\(x\)’,holding \(\phi=constant\)

    \[0=2cx-2cy\left ( \frac{dy}{dx} \right )\]

    or \[\left ( \frac{dy}{dx} \right )_{\phi=constant}=\left ( \frac{x}{y} \right )\]

    On comparing the above equations we get \[\left ( \frac{dy}{dx} \right )_{\psi=constant}=\frac{-1}{\left (\frac{dy}{dx} \right )_{\phi=constant}}\]

    Therefore the lines of constant \(\phi\) are perpendicular to the lines of constant \(\psi\).

    Worldtech Answered on 30th October 2019.
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