• I .

•
,. 5.8 VELOCITY POTENTIAL FUNC:TION AND STREAM FUNCTION
1 Velocity Potential Function. It is defined as a scalar function of spac~ and time such
~ 1-t negative derivative with respect to any direction gives the fluid velocity in that direction. It is
• M h . 11 h · · ·
defined by cp (Phi). at emattca Y, t e velocity, potential is defined as cp = f (x, !:.z) for steady flow
that s
.U = -dq>-
dX
dq>
v= --a
.y r ... (5.9)
dq>
w=--
dZ
where u, v and w are the components of velocity in x, y and z directions respectively.
The velocity components in cylindrical polar co-ordinates in terms of velocity potential function are
given by
a<1>
u =-
r dr
1 a<t>
,111._
U9 =-;: d0 ... (5.9A)
 I V\J ' )
e
wher
and u;u = velocity component in radial direction (i.e., in r direction)
= velocity. component in tangential
. , direction.,(i.e., in ·0 direction)
Th Continuity equat:J.on
• ior
.c an mcompress1
. •ble steady flow 1s . -du + -dv + -d·w = .
e 0
Substituting the values of u, v and w from equation (5.9), we get
iJ<j>)+~(-~J+!._(-~J
a;a (-a; dy dy dz dz
=0
or d2<I> a2<1> . d'2<f>
-+ 2 -+ 2 ~=0.
dx dy dz
Equation (5.10) is a Laplace equation.
. . . . d2<I> d2<f> .
For two-dtmens10n case, equat10n (5.10) reduces to dx 2 + ~ 2 = 0.
Properties of the Potential Function. The rotational components* are given by
(O z =
1 (av au)
2 ax - ay
 co
Y
= _!_cau
2 dz
_dwJ
dx

. rox = ; ( :; - !;J .
~
Substituting th . he above rotational compo
get e values, of u, v and w from equation (5.9) in t nents,
.. a2<l> a2<t>
~,1===-1- +
ro, = 2 / dx l- dy) dy "- ax ,., ;)yrl,
2 2

a (-
1 [ jk
roy = 2
a (- a<t>JJ-
acp] - a;
a; a <t> + dxdz
az - !2 [- dzdx a <t>]

and
ro =
x
2{3-(-~)-
2 ay az
~(-
dz
~J]
dy
= ! [- a + a q,]
dydz dzdy 2
2

<t>
2

If cp
. a2 cf>
is a continuous function, th en axay -
- a2cf> • a2 th = _'Y_
_'t'_
a2 th ; etc.
dydx 'dzdx axaz

·
•• roZ = roy = co = 0.X

When rotational components are zero, the fl ow is called irrotational. Hence the properties of:~
potential function arP. •
 _ _ .,.... '-'.&..& ......... " " ' •

1. If velocity potential (<I>) exists, the flow should be irrotational.

2. If velocity potential (<I>) satisfies the Laplace equation, it represents the possible steady incom-
pressible irrotational flow.
~ -2 Stream Function~ It is defined as the scalar function of space and time, such that its partial
derivative_ with respect to any direction gives the velocity component at right angles to that direction. It
is denoted by 'I' (Psi) and defined only for two-dimensi~nal flow. Mathematically, for steady flow it is
defined as 'I' = f (x, y) such that
d'lf
-=v
ax
... (5.12)
and d'I' = - u
dy
The velocity components in cylindrical polar co-ordinates in terms of stream function are given as
1 d'lf d'lf ~ ..
u = - -- and u0 = - -
' r ae a, (5 12A)
... .
where u,= radial velocity and u0 = tangential velocity
. . . .c . du . dv
The continuity equation 1or two- d.1mens1ona
. l fl
ow 1s - + - = o.
ax dy
 ~ Substituting the values ot u and v from equation (5.12), we get
'

i_ (- av) + i_ (aw) = 0 or - a2"' + a2"' = 0

ax dy dy dx dxdy axay .
Hence existence of \JI means a possible case of fluid flow. The flow may be rotational or irrotational.

. given
The rotational component roz is . b y coz = -1 - (av - -auJ .
. 2 ax ay
Substituting the values of u and v from equation (5.12) in the above rotational component, we get

roz - 2
1[ a (aw)
dx ax
a
ay
( awJ]
ay -
1 [a 'Jf a 'Jf]
ax + ay
2
2

2
2

. a2 \Jf aw _
For irrotational flow, roz = 0. Hence above equation becomes as Jr2 + dy2 - O

which is Laplace equation for 't'·

The properties of stream function ('If) are : .bl f flui·d flow which may be rotational or
. · ·
1. If stream function ('tf) exists, it is a possi e case o .

irrotational. au·on it is a possible case of an irrotational flow .

2. Tf ~trP~m f11n£ · f. th Laplace equ '
 s.s.3 Equipotential Line -
equipDtential line. • A line along which the velocity p~tential <I> is constant, is called
for equipotential line
<t>= ·Constant
... d'lf == 0 .
But <t> = f (x, y) for steady flow
..• dcj> == ~dx+~d y
ax ay
= - udx-vdy
{-: : == ~u, !! ~v}
==
= - (udx + vdy).
For equipotenti al line, dq> =O
or - (udx + vdy) = 0 or udx + vdy = 0
dy u
... ... (5.13)
dx v

But dy = Slope of equipotential line:

dx
S.8.4 Line of Constant Stream Function
\JI = Constant
•
•• d\Jf = 0

But
a'V aw y = + vdx- udy
d'Jf = -dx+-d
ax ay
{-: ~! =v;: =-u}
 ·- •·- -~-----~-~----- ~----~--~------
. ..... --q
For a line of constant stream function
= d'lf = 0 or vdx - udy =0
or dy - V
- -- ...(5.14)
dx u

But dy is slope of stream line.

dx
From equations (5.13) and (5.14) it is clear that the product of the slope of the equipotential line and
the slope of the stream line at the point of intersection is equal to - 1. Thus the equipotential lines are
othogonal to the stream lines at all points of intersection.
5.8.S Flow Net. A grid obtained by drawing a series of equipotent ial lines and stream lines is called
a flow net. The flow net is an important tool in analysing two-dimen sional irrotationa l flow problems.
S.8.6 Relation between Stream Function and Velo city Pote ntial Function -~~
From equation (5.9),

a<i>
we have u =- -ax and v = - -a<iay>
.
From equation (5.12), we have u = -aw
- and v = aw
-a
ay X

Thus, we have a<t> aw

u = - - = - - and v= -a<i> aw
-=-
dx dy ay ax
Hence dq> _ a'l'
--
ax ay
and a<t> -
_ -d'tf ~ ...{5.l:
ay -
I I ~, .
ax