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Stream function

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Revision as of 11:04, 12 September 2005

The stream function is a scalar field variable which is constant on each streamline. It exists only in two-dimensional and axisymmetric flows.

On a streamline in two-dimensional flow


d\psi = \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x} dx + \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial y} dy = 0

The equation of a streamline in two-dimensions is


v dx - u dy = 0

Comparing the two equations, we have


u = - \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial y}


v = \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x}

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