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Mathematics LibreTexts

7.2: Stationary Flows

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If the velocity field is unchanging in time we call the flow a stationary flow. In this case, we can drop t as an argument and write:

F(x,y)=(u(x,y),v(x,y))

Here are a few examples. These pictures show the streamlines from similar figures in topic 5. We’ve added arrows to indicate the direction of flow.

Example 7.2.1: Uniform Flow

F=(1,0).

001 - (Example 7.3.1).svg
Figure 7.2.1: Velocity field of a uniform flow. (CC BY-NC; Ümit Kaya)

Example 7.2.2: Eddies (Vortexes)

F=(y/r2,x/r2)

002 - (Example 7.3.2).svg
Figure 7.2.2: Velocity field of an eddy (vortex). (CC BY-NC; Ümit Kaya)

Example 7.2.3: Source

F=(x/r2,y/r2)

003 - (Example 7.3.3).svg
Figure 7.2.3: Velocity field of a source. (CC BY-NC; Ümit Kaya)

This page titled 7.2: Stationary Flows is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jeremy Orloff (MIT OpenCourseWare) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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