Stream Function
In fluid dynamics, two types of stream function (or streamfunction) are defined: * The two-dimensional (or Lagrange) stream function, introduced by Joseph Louis Lagrange in 1781, is defined for incompressible flow, incompressible (divergence-free), two-dimensional fluid flow, flows. * The Stokes stream function, named after George Gabriel Stokes, is defined for incompressible, three-dimensional flows with axisymmetry. The properties of stream functions make them useful for analyzing and graphically illustrating flows. The remainder of this article describes the two-dimensional stream function. Two-dimensional stream function Assumptions The two-dimensional stream function is based on the following assumptions: * The flow field can be described as two-dimensional plane flow, with velocity vector : \quad \mathbf = \begin u (x,y,t) \\ v (x,y,t) \\ 0 \end. * The velocity satisfies the continuity equation for incompressible flow: : \quad \nabla \cdot \mathbf = 0. * The domain h ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Stokes Stream Function
In fluid dynamics, the Stokes stream function is used to describe the Streamlines, streaklines, and pathlines, streamlines and flow velocity in a three-dimensional incompressible flow with axisymmetry. A surface with a constant value of the Stokes stream function encloses a streamtube, everywhere tangential to the flow velocity vectors. Further, the volume flux within this streamtube is constant, and all the streamlines of the flow are located on this surface. The velocity field associated with the Stokes stream function is solenoidal vector field, solenoidal—it has zero divergence. This stream function is named in honor of George Gabriel Stokes. Cylindrical coordinates Consider a cylindrical coordinate system ( ''ρ'' , ''φ'' , ''z'' ), with the ''z''–axis the line around which the incompressible flow is axisymmetrical, ''φ'' the azimuthal angle and ''ρ'' the distance to the ''z''–axis. Then the flow velocity components ''uρ'' and ''uz'' ca ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Axisymmetry
Rotational symmetry, also known as radial symmetry in geometry, is the property a shape has when it looks the same after some rotation by a partial turn. An object's degree of rotational symmetry is the number of distinct orientations in which it looks exactly the same for each rotation. Certain geometric objects are partially symmetrical when rotated at certain angles such as squares rotated 90°, however the only geometric objects that are fully rotationally symmetric at any angle are spheres, circles and other spheroids. Formal treatment Formally the rotational symmetry is symmetry with respect to some or all rotations in -dimensional Euclidean space. Rotations are direct isometries, i.e., isometries preserving orientation. Therefore, a symmetry group of rotational symmetry is a subgroup of (see Euclidean group). Symmetry with respect to all rotations about all points implies translational symmetry with respect to all translations, so space is homogeneous, and the ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Exact Differential
In multivariate calculus, a differential (infinitesimal), differential or differential form is said to be exact or perfect (''exact differential''), as contrasted with an inexact differential, if it is equal to the general differential dQ for some differentiable function Q in an Orthogonal coordinates, orthogonal coordinate system (hence Q is a multivariable function Dependent and independent variables#In pure mathematics, whose variables are independent, as they are always expected to be when treated in multivariable calculus). An exact differential is sometimes also called a ''total differential'', or a ''full differential'', or, in the study of differential geometry, it is termed an exact form. The integral of an exact differential over any integral path is Conservative vector field#Path independence, path-independent, and this fact is used to identify state functions in thermodynamics. Overview Definition Even if we work in three dimensions here, the definitions of exa ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Equipotential
In mathematics and physics, an equipotential or isopotential refers to a region (mathematics), region in space where every point is at the same Electric potential, potential. This usually refers to a scalar potential (in that case it is a level set of the potential), although it can also be applied to vector potentials. An equipotential of a scalar potential function (mathematics), function in -dimensional space is typically an ()-dimensional space. The del, del operator illustrates the relationship between a vector field and its associated scalar potential field. An equipotential region might be referred as being 'of equipotential' or simply be called 'an equipotential'. An equipotential region of a scalar potential in three-dimensional space is often an equipotential surface (or ''potential isosurface''), but it can also be a three-dimensional solid (mathematics), mathematical solid in space. The gradient of the scalar potential (and hence also its opposite, as in the case of a ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Potential Flow
In fluid dynamics, potential flow or irrotational flow refers to a description of a fluid flow with no vorticity in it. Such a description typically arises in the limit of vanishing viscosity, i.e., for an inviscid fluid and with no vorticity present in the flow. Potential flow describes the velocity field as the gradient of a scalar function: the velocity potential. As a result, a potential flow is characterized by an Conservative vector field#Irrotational vector fields, irrotational velocity field, which is a valid approximation for several applications. The irrotationality of a potential flow is due to the Curl (mathematics), curl of the gradient of a Scalar (physics), scalar always being equal to zero. In the case of an incompressible flow the velocity potential satisfies Laplace's equation, and potential theory is applicable. However, potential flows also have been used to describe compressible flows and Hele-Shaw flows. The potential flow approach occurs in the modeling of ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Gradient Theorem
The gradient theorem, also known as the fundamental theorem of calculus for line integrals, says that a line integral through a gradient field can be evaluated by evaluating the original scalar field at the endpoints of the curve. The theorem is a generalization of the second fundamental theorem of calculus to any curve in a plane or space (generally ''n''-dimensional) rather than just the real line. If is a differentiable function and a differentiable curve in which starts at a point and ends at a point , then \int_ \nabla\varphi(\mathbf)\cdot \mathrm\mathbf = \varphi\left(\mathbf\right) - \varphi\left(\mathbf\right) where denotes the gradient vector field of . The gradient theorem implies that line integrals through gradient fields are path-independent. In physics this theorem is one of the ways of defining a ''conservative'' force. By placing as potential, is a conservative field. Work done by conservative forces does not depend on the path followed by the ob ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Stokes' Theorem
Stokes' theorem, also known as the Kelvin–Stokes theorem after Lord Kelvin and George Stokes, the fundamental theorem for curls, or simply the curl theorem, is a theorem in vector calculus on \R^3. Given a vector field, the theorem relates the integral of the curl of the vector field over some surface, to the line integral of the vector field around the boundary of the surface. The classical theorem of Stokes can be stated in one sentence: : The line integral of a vector field over a loop is equal to the surface integral of its '' curl'' over the enclosed surface. Stokes' theorem is a special case of the generalized Stokes theorem. In particular, a vector field on \R^3 can be considered as a 1-form in which case its curl is its exterior derivative, a 2-form. Theorem Let \Sigma be a smooth oriented surface in \R^3 with boundary \partial \Sigma \equiv \Gamma . If a vector field \mathbf(x,y,z) = (F_x(x, y, z), F_y(x, y, z), F_z(x, y, z)) is defined and has continuous first ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Poisson's Equation
Poisson's equation is an elliptic partial differential equation of broad utility in theoretical physics. For example, the solution to Poisson's equation is the potential field caused by a given electric charge or mass density distribution; with the potential field known, one can then calculate the corresponding electrostatic or gravitational (force) field. It is a generalization of Laplace's equation, which is also frequently seen in physics. The equation is named after French mathematician and physicist Siméon Denis Poisson who published it in 1823. Statement of the equation Poisson's equation is \Delta\varphi = f, where \Delta is the Laplace operator, and f and \varphi are real or complex-valued functions on a manifold. Usually, f is given, and \varphi is sought. When the manifold is Euclidean space, the Laplace operator is often denoted as , and so Poisson's equation is frequently written as \nabla^2 \varphi = f. In three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates, it takes the ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Vorticity
In continuum mechanics, vorticity is a pseudovector (or axial vector) field that describes the local spinning motion of a continuum near some point (the tendency of something to rotate), as would be seen by an observer located at that point and traveling along with the flow. It is an important quantity in the dynamical theory of fluids and provides a convenient framework for understanding a variety of complex flow phenomena, such as the formation and motion of vortex rings. Mathematically, the vorticity \boldsymbol is the curl of the flow velocity \mathbf v: :\boldsymbol \equiv \nabla \times \mathbf v\,, where \nabla is the nabla operator. Conceptually, \boldsymbol could be determined by marking parts of a continuum in a small neighborhood of the point in question, and watching their ''relative'' displacements as they move along the flow. The vorticity \boldsymbol would be twice the mean angular velocity vector of those particles relative to their center of mass, orie ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Oceanography
Oceanography (), also known as oceanology, sea science, ocean science, and marine science, is the scientific study of the ocean, including its physics, chemistry, biology, and geology. It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of topics, including ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics; fluxes of various chemical substances and physical properties within the ocean and across its boundaries; ecosystem dynamics; and plate tectonics and seabed geology. Oceanographers draw upon a wide range of disciplines to deepen their understanding of the world’s oceans, incorporating insights from astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography, geology, hydrology, meteorology and physics. History Early history Humans first acquired knowledge of the waves and currents of the seas and oceans in pre-historic times. Observations on tides were recorded by Aristotle and Strabo in 384–322 BC. Early exploration of the oceans was primarily for cartography and mainly ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Meteorology
Meteorology is the scientific study of the Earth's atmosphere and short-term atmospheric phenomena (i.e. weather), with a focus on weather forecasting. It has applications in the military, aviation, energy production, transport, agriculture, construction, weather warnings and disaster management. Along with climatology, atmospheric physics and atmospheric chemistry, meteorology forms the broader field of the atmospheric sciences. The interactions between Earth's atmosphere and its oceans (notably El Niño and La Niña) are studied in the interdisciplinary field of hydrometeorology. Other interdisciplinary areas include biometeorology, space weather and planetary meteorology. Marine weather forecasting relates meteorology to maritime and coastal safety, based on atmospheric interactions with large bodies of water. Meteorologists study meteorological phenomena driven by solar radiation, Earth's rotation, ocean currents and other factors. These include everyday ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Streamsurface
In fluid dynamics a stream surface is a surface across which no flow occurs. A stream surface may be one of two types: * A boundary-type stream surface coincides with the impermeable boundary of a physical object other than the fluid itself. The object may be rigid or flexible, and it may be mobile or immobile. Examples include the wall of a fluid-filled channel or pipe, the wall of a rigid buoy drifting in a water body, and the wall of a balloon floating in the atmosphere. * An internal stream surface does not coincide with a physical object other than the fluid. Fluid flows on either side of the surface, but does not cross it. In scientific visualization a stream surface is the 3D generalization of a streamline Streamline may refer to: Business * Streamline Air, American regional airline * Adobe Streamline, a discontinued line tracing program made by Adobe Systems * Streamline Cars, the company responsible for making the Burney car Engineering .... It is the union o ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |