Two Dimensional

Potential Flow
Theory

05/28/22 1
 Inviscid Flow

• Inviscid flow implies that the viscous effect is

negligible. This occurs in the flow domain away
from a solid boundary outside the boundary layer
at Re.

• The flows are governed by Euler Equations:-

Continuity equation

   ( v )  0
t

For invicid flow μ=0;

• For invicid flow μ=0;

v
 (  v  v )  p  g
t
• where , v, and p can be functions of r and t . 2
 Inviscid Flow

• On the other hand, if flows are steady but

compressible, the governing equation becomes

  ( v )  0
 ( v  ) v  p  g
where  can be a function of r

• For compressible flows, the state equation p  RT

is needed; then, we will require the equation for
temperature T also.

3
 Inviscid Flow

• Compressible inviscid flows usually belong to the

scope of aerodynamics of high speed flight of
aircraft. Here we consider only incompressible
inviscid flows.
• For incompressible flow, the governing equations
reduce to
v  0
v
 (  v  v )  p  g
t
where  = constant.

4
 Inviscid Flow

• For steady incompressible flow, the governing eqt reduce

further to
v  0
 ( v  ) v  p  g where  = constant.

• The equation of motion can be rewrited into

p  ( v 2 )
  gz  v  (  v)
 2
• Take the scalar products with dr and integrate from a
reference at  along an arbitrary streamline =C , leads to
p v2 p v2
  gz    gz  constant
 2  2
since
r

v  (  v)dr  0 along   C

5
 Inviscid Flow

• If the constant (total energy per unit mass) is the same

for all streamlines, the path of the integral can be
arbitrary, and in the flow domain except inside
boundary layers.
  v  0
• Finally, the governing equations for inviscid,
irrotational steady flow are

v  0
 v  0
p v2
  gz  constant
 2
• Since ω    v is the vorticity , flows with
are called irrotational flows.

 v  0
6
 Inviscid Flow

• Note that the velocity and pressure fields are

decoupled. Hence, we can solve the velocity field from
the continuity and vorticity equations. Then the
pressure field is determined by Bernoulli equation.
• A velocity potential (Phi)  exists for irrotational flow,
such that,
v  
and irrotationality     v      0 is automatically
satisfied.

7
 Two Dimensional Potential Flows Theory
Definition of potential flow
Potential flow is frictionless,
irrotational flow.
Even though all real fluids have
viscous to some degree,
 if the effects of viscosity are
sufficiently small then the frictional
effects may be negligible.
Viscous effects become negligible,
the potential flow can be assumed to
follow the contours of the solid surface,
as if the boundary layer was not present.

05/28/22 8
• Then the principles of potential flow
theory are:
– It satisfies the basic fluid mechanics law
(conservation of mass and momentum)
– Flows are assuming incompressible,
inviscid and irrotational
– It can be assumed to follow the contours
of the solid surface,
– The boundary layer was not present.

05/28/22 9
 1.3. Velocity potential and
stream functions:
• Velocity potential or potential function
∅(x,y,z,t): a continuous function that satisfies the
basic laws of fluid mechanics: conservation of
mass and momentum
 Basic Assumptions for potential flow analysis are:
a) The flow should be incompressible
b) Invicid flow and
c) Irrotational flow
For irrotational flow we know that the angular
velocity of the fluid is zero.
i.e ω=0.5(curl V)=0
From a theorem in vector analysis, a vector with zero
curl must be gradient of scalar function

05/28/22 10
Cont…
• Thus the velocity component as a function
of velocity potential flow are:

The velocity still satisfy the conservation of

mass:
i.e.

05/28/22 11
• Laplace equation in different coordinate systems:
Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical.

05/28/22 12
05/28/22 13
 Potential Lines
• Lines of constant Potential flow, are
called potential lines of the flow. In
two dimensions:

05/28/22 14
 1.2.1Circulation and vorticity
• Circulation is a macroscopic fluid variable
related to a finite fluid volume Vorticity is a
microscopic variable related to a fluid
parcel.
• Circulation :-
– is defined, mathematically, as the
circular integral of the tangential velocity
about a closed path:

Where V is the velocity in the flow field at the element ds and

is the angle between V and tangent to the
path.
05/28/22 15
• Circulation around a regular curve can be
obtained by integration. Let us consider the
circulation around an elementary box (fluid
element ABCD) shown below.

• Starting from A and proceeding

anticlockwise as a positive, we have

05/28/22 16
• Vorticity (Ω)- is defined as the
circulation per unit of enclosed area

• If the flow posses the vorticity, it is

rotational
• Rotation(ω) is defined as one-half of the
vorticity

Or
We define rotation (angular velocity), ωz, about
the z axis.

05/28/22 17

 
• Or put together in a vector form

• If the flow is irritation, then rotation value

will be zero.

05/28/22 18
Stream Function

• Stream Function(ψ):works only if the

continuity can be reduced to two terms. In general,
we have four terms:

• The most common application is incompressible

flow in the x-y plane.

• This equation is satisfied identically if a function

(x, y) is defined such that above Eq. becomes

05/28/22 19
Cont….
• Comparison of the above equations shows
that
or
• vorticity, or curl V, is an interesting function

• For rotational flow we know that:

• Substitute the value of u and v by Stream

function
• i.e. ,then
• This equation is known as poison’s equation

05/28/22 20
Cont…
• For inviscid and irrotational flow in the x-y plane,
where ωz=0. The above equation will be reduce to
the Laplace equation:

• For irrotational incompressible 2-D Fluid flow we

can show the relationship between potential flow
and stream function using velocity components as
follows:

This Cauchy Riemann Equation.

• For an Equi-potential line and constant stream
function we can show that the two functions are
orthogonal as follows:
• For the curve =constant; the slope =

05/28/22 21
Cont…
• For the curve ψ=constant; the slope=
• If two functions are orthogonal to each other
then the product of the slope of these function
should be equal to -1.
• i.e.
• The analytical property implies that the
constant potential line and the constant
streamline are orthogonal, i.e.,
    0
• This shows that the two sets of these curves
are intersect each other orthogonally at all
points of intersection

05/28/22 22
 Cont…

For irrotational flow stream function and

potential function both satisfy Laplace's
equation:

05/28/22 23
Uniform flow, source/sink flow,
vortex;
• Uniform flow:-The flow with a
constant velocity in one direction let us U
in the x-direction and a uniform depth of a
unit value. Then the potential and the
stream function are obtain as follows:

• Where c is constant, which can be set zero.

• Thus, for a uniform flow in the positive x-
direction.

• The corresponding stream function can be

obtained in a similar manner, since

05/28/22 24
Cont…

• Therefore

• So the potential and stream function are

shown below:

• Generally to provide the velocity potential

and stream function for a uniform flow at
an angle with the x-axis, as shown below
figure

05/28/22 25
Cont…

Velocity components: u =U cosα , v =U sinα

05/28/22 26
 Source or sink (m > 0 source; m < 0
sink)

• A source flow is defined at a point as the flow that

creates new fluid particles continuously.
• In 2-dimensions a source located at the origin will
create fluid streamlines as shown below:

• streamlines are all radial, the source flow velocity

components may be written as
vr ≠ 0 and vθ=0
• We can define the strength of a source, m, as the
volumetric flow per unit depth, m, through any
closed circuit enclosing the source.
• Let us choose the circuit as a circle of radius, r.
• Let w=Depth=1unit
• (2πr)vr=m

05/28/22 27
Cont…

• If m is +ve it is source flow, if m is –ve it is sink

flow
• The potential flow and stream function can be
obtained as:
;1 
vr   / r  m / 2r *  v  0
r 
m m
  r    ln r
2r 2
m 1  
V r   V   0
2r r  r
mr m
     
2r 2

• Therefore
m
 source 
( or , sink ) 2
• To plot streamlines, we must set the constant ψ , and
select different values of the constant.

05/28/22 28
Cont…

• Generally in source and sink flow the

velocity component stream function and
velocity potential as follows:

• Vortex Flow: a counterclockwise vortex

located at the origin has circular
streamlines as shown.

05/28/22 29
Cont…

• Since circulation г   V  ds
 C
V  ds  V rd 
 2
    V  ds  V r  d
C 0

• In general 2 a) counterclockwise
 r V (for V 
vortex flow located at
2r
the origin the velocity components are:


V 
• The potential
 and Vr  0function of this flow are given
stream
2r
by:
these is singular at the origin (as r→0

). vortex   ln r
2
• Generally in  vortex flow the velocity potential, stream
vortex  
function and 2 velocity component summarize as follows:

05/28/22 30
 COMBINATIONS OF SOLUTIONS: SOLID BODIES IN A POTENTIAL FLOW

• PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION for velocity potential.

• In addition, we have shown that for incompressible, irrotational flow, stream function
also satisfies Laplace Eq. So can similarly construct flow solutions by combining Stream
Function (S.F). associated with uniform flow, source/sink flow and line-vortex flow.

• In fact, we will almost exclusively use stream function here because we are interested in
pattern of streamlines; once we find stream function, we can use fact that it is constant
along streamlines to plot out streamlines.

Uniform Flow and Source: THE RANKINE BODY

?
What happens if we combine...

 
   uniform flow   source
 y
Cartesian Coordinates:  x, y   U  y  m tan 1   (1)
x
Polar Coordinates:  r ,   U r sin   m 

(2)
• Where m is strength of a source, which is given as the volumetric flow per unit
depth
• (1)/(2) represent complete descriptions of flow field. But what does it look like?...

•To graph lines of constant  , first look for STAGNATION POINTS.

There ... V 0
Thus, both velocity components must be zero… Differentiate to get
31
expressions for velocity components ...
05/28/22
Continued...

• Cartesian Coordinates:  x, y   U  y  m tan 1  y 

 x
 x
 r cos m
u  U  m 2  U  m  U  cos (3)
x  y  r

y r
2  2

 y r sin  m
v   m  m  sin  (4)
x x  y 
2 2
r 2
r

• For v=0 Eq. (4) requires ... y0

m u 0 m
...with this Eq. (3) gives... u  U   x
x U

 STAGNATION POINT at  m U  , 0 

• Polar Coordinates:  r ,   U  r sin   m 

1  m 
ur   U  cos  and u     U  sin 
r  r r

For u  0 need   0,  , 2 , 3 , ...

Since m, r positive choose...    to get a solution for ur  0

ur 0
m
m
 u r  U  cos     U  
r
m
r
 r
U

05/28/22  STAGNATION POINT at m U  ,   32

 Continued...
• In both cases same location for Stagnation Point ...

Cartesian Coordinates
 m U  , 0 
Polar Coordinates
m U  ,  

We repeated ourselves to demonstrate that either coordinate system can be used.

In general choose the one that makes the analysis easiest.
m
• Now use for distance between origin and stagnation point: a
U
• Find S.L. that arrives at stagnation point and divides there. Using ...
  const.
along this S.L., use a known point - the stagnation point - to evaluate constant.
With Eq (2) from above ...

m
 r ,   U  r sin   m    s  U  sin   m  m 
U

where suffix s denotes ‘along particular streamline through stagnation point’.

• Streamline found by equating Eq (2) to the constant and rearranging...

 m  U  r sin   m 
PLOT
m     a    
05/28/22
 r
U  sin 

sin 
(5)  33
Continued...
a    
Plotting stagnation streamline: r 
sin 

 r
 2 a 2
3 2 a 2
 0
with r sin   a
r 

etc. ...

• Stagnation streamline defines shape of (imaginary) solid half-body which may be fitted inside
streamline boundary; remember flow does not cross streamline … or solid boundary. Call this
special S.L. SURFACE STREAMLINE.
• Body shape named after Scottish engineer W.J.M. Rankine (1820-1872).
• Now only have stagnation/surface. To get other S.L.’s, choose point, determine constant for
S.L. through point and then sketch particular S.L. through this point by compiling a table as
above.

05/28/22 34
 Continued...

How Does Flow Speed Vary Along Surface Streamline?

• Recall velocity components in cartesian coord. from Eqs. (3)/(4) :

m m
u  U  cos v sin 
r r
• Flow speed is: U 2  v  u2  v2
2 2
U  U   m cos    m sin    U 2  2U  m cos   m2 cos 2   m2 sin 2 
2 2 2

 r  r  r r r
2U  m m2 m2
U  2

r r

cos  2 sin 2   cos 2    U 2 
2U  m
r
cos   2
r

 2m m2  m
 U 1  2

cos   2 2  NOW RECALL: a
 r U 
r U  U

 2  a2 2a
U  U 1  2 
 r
2

r

cos  

(6)

• To find flow speed on body surface, VS , evaluate Eq. (6) subject to

a    
r (5) for surface streamline. This gives ...
sin 

05/28/22 35
 Continued...

• Note: Since we know surface flow speed, we can evaluate static pressure at
any point on surface. Using Bernoulli equation along central streamline that
divides into surface streamline and, as usual, ignoring gravitational term...

1 1
p   U 2  p S   VS2
   2   2
    
Upstream On surface
undisturbe d
flow
1 1
  U 2  p S  p   VS2
2 2
1 2
pS  p  VS p  p V 2
S  S
 1   2  
1 2 1 2 1 2 U2
 U  U  U
2 2 2

pS  p VS2
 1
1 2 U2
 U
2
Hence we get the non-dimensional pressure coefficient :

ps  p VS2
Cp   1
1 2 U2
 U
2
The pressure coefficient is a dimensionless number which
describes the relative pressures throughout a flow field in fluid
dynamics.
05/28/22 36
 Continued...

Uniform Flow and Sink

(instead of Source)

Stream Function
Source Sink
(previous case)
 y  y
Cart. Coord. x, y   U  y  m tan 1    x, y   U  y  m tan 1  
 x x
Pol. Coord.  r ,   U  r sin   m   r ,   U  r sin   m 

• Only difference: plus sign(s) changed into minus sign(s)!

Hence, for sink expect a very similar analysis as above for source.

 
Source Sink S.P.

• Note: In real world (inviscid) flow pattern for sink would not be observed! Flow
would initially follow body contour but (due to viscosity) detach at separation
points indicated by S.P. in sketch for sink.

Potential flows do NOT model ALL features of a real flow!!!

This has lead to potential flow often being termed IDEAL FLOW.
05/28/22 37
 Uniform Flow + Source + Sink
We consider ‘symmetric’ case where:

Strength Location
Source m  c, 0 
Sink m c, 0 
We cannot have both at origin now! What would happen if both at origin?

• By considering the two sketches on previous slide we can anticipate shape of surface streamline and resulting body...

… an oval.

• Using superposition, can readily write stream function for this flow:

 y  1  y 
 x, y   U  y  m tan 1    m tan   (1)
x  c x  c
                
Uniform Source at (  c , 0 ) Sink at ( c , 0 )
flow

• Second and third terms can be combined using:

  
tan 1    tan 1    tan 1  
 1    

To give a more concise form for stream function

 2c y 
 x, y   U  y  m tan 1  2 2

2
05/28/22 x  y c  38
 Continued...

• From either of the two forms of S.F. on previous slide, one can determine velocity components

  xc xc 
u  U  m    (2)
 x  c   y x  c 2  y 2 
2 2
y

  1 1  (3)
v  my  2
x   x  c 2
 y 2
 x  c 2
 y 

• Now find stagnation points, where u=v=0. From Eq. (3) one sees that
when y=0 then v=0.

• Substitute y=0 into Eq. (2) and then find value of x which gives that u=0.

• After some manipulation the solutions for x are:

1
 2m  2
x   c 1    L
 cU  
• Hence, stagnation points at:

 L , 0  and L , 0 

•Now determine value of S.F. for surface streamline from Eq (1).

 y  1  y 
 x, y   U  y  m tan 1    m tan   (1) - repeated
 xc  xc

It can be seen that this is trivial and that  0S

05/28/22 39
Continued...

• Rankin Oval then looks like ...

• We already determined value

of L. Can find points of
maximum velocity and
minimum pressure at
shoulders +/-h, of oval using
similar methods. All these
parameters are a function of
the...
m
… basic dimensionless parameter d
U c

In summary one obtains

1
L  2m  2 umax 2 m U  c  h  ha 
 1   1  cot  
c  U  c  U 1  h2 c2 c  2m U c 


•As one increases dimensionless

parameter d from zero to large values,
oval shape increases in size and
thickness from flat plate of length 2c
to huge, nearly circular ‘cylinder’.
Here think of increase when
c  const . and U   const

•All Rankine ovals, except very thin

ones, have large adverse pressure
gradient on leeward surface. Thus,
boundary-layer will separate in rear,
broad wake flow develops, inviscid
40
pattern unrealistic in that region.
05/28/22
 Overall Strategy for Plotting Streamlines from
Stream Function was.

Write down stream function for flow by appropriately combining

individual solutions for source, sink and line vortex as a sum:

 x , y    1  x , y    2  x , y    3 x , y    
Note: Huge choice as far as selction of parameters is concerned!
Souce strength, vortex direction of rotation, strength … ...


Calculate expressions for vel. components u, v from
 
u , v
y x

Determine coord.of stagnation point(s) via u=0 , v =0.


Determine value of stream function passing through
(stagnation) point by substituting coordinates of
(stagnation) point(s) into the stream function.


Set stream function equal to the value you have
determined for point in question.



Determine values of x, y (or r, ) that satisfy this expression and plot to obtain
streamline.


Choose new point x,y
05/28/22 41
 From previous it should be obvious how one can find stream function for a
cylinder (circle) in a uniform flow ...

Cylinder in a Uniform Flow

m
•Turn Rankin oval into circle by allowing ... 
U c
• Achieved by moving source and sink closer to origin ... c0

Limit (c=0) would ultimately ‘cancel’ pair!

• Ensure their influence remains by allowing m to increase in size.
Necessary limit is...
c0 with c m  const .
• Recall that Rankine  2c y 
 x, y   U  y  m tan 1  2 2

2
oval had S.F. ... x  y c 

• Now let c  0 then the argument of tan-1 goes to zero...

• Noting that tan 1    for small  gives

2c y
 x , y   U  y  m
x2  y2  c2

• Define DOUBLET STRENGTH:   2mc


Stream Function for Cylinder Flow
y
 x, y   U  y  2 (1)
x  y2
   
Uniform DOUBLET
flow at origin
Note: Merging of source and sink as above produces structure known as
DOUBLET. 42

05/28/22
 Continued...
• More convenient to work in polar coordinates! S.F. can be written ...
 sin    
 r ,   U  r sin    U  sin   r   (1)
r  U r 

• From Eq. (1) can get velocity components in usual way...

 2
1  R
ur   U cos 1  2  (2)
r   r 
 Where

  R2  we R 
u    U sin  
 1  
2  used... U
r  r 
(3)
Stagnation points:
• CHECK that this flow really does represent a cylinder in uniform flow.

Eq. (3) :  0  u  0
   u  0
• Substitute these angles into Eq.(2) and set u r  0 to get ...
 R2  R2
For   0 : 0  U  cos 0 1  2   1  2  r  R
 r  r
 R2  R2
For    : 0  U  cos  1  2   1  2  r  R
 r  r
Hence,... Stagnation points: R , 0  and R ,  
• Surface S.L. VALUE by substituting one stag. point into Eq. (1)...
  
 R , 0   U  sin 0  R    0
 U  R 
• Now get equation for Surface S.L. by equating Eq. (1) to zero ...

r2   or rR 43
U r 
U PLOT
As required surface S.L. is circle with radius R   U

 Continued...

Uniform Flow + Doublet = Flow over a Cylinder

• Velocity Components on cylinder surface are obtained, by setting r=R,

from.
 R2 
Eq. (2) u r  U  cos 1  2 
 r 
 ur  0

 R2 
Eq. (3) u   U  sin  1  2 
r 
 u   2 U  sin 

Might have expected to find that radial flow component is zero on surface -
flow cannot pass through (solid) cylinder wall!

• Note also that maximum flow speed occurs at

 3
 and  
2 2
where it is  2 U  and  2 U  respectively.

Means in both cases (top and bottom half of cyl.) flow is from left to right! On
top negative value as velocity points in clockwise (negative angle) direction. On
bottom in anti-clockwise (positive angle) direction.

• Finally, note symmetry of flow about both the x- and y- axes. What does this
tell you about the pressure distribution on the cylinder surface… remember
the Bernoulli Equation!
05/28/22 44
 Continued...

• Since we can now mathematically describe.

...we can, in principle, also describe flow through an arbitrary array of

cylinders as, for instance, the flow shown in the photo below. We
simply need to put several doublets in our uniform flow.

05/28/22 45
 Cylinder with Circulation in a Uniform Flow

• Without performing calculation, can see in preceding flow no net lift or drag on cylinder since
pressure distribution on surface symmetric about x- and y-axis..

• In order to generate lift need to break symmetry. Achieved by introducing line vortex of strength,
K, at origin which introduces circulation .

   k 2  k 
2
• Note that this does not violate the flow around cylinder: line vortex produces a u
component of velocity only. Hence, we are still adhering to condition that flow cannot pass
through cylinder boundary.

• Working from S.F. for cylinder in uniform flow additional inclusion of line vortex gives:
 sin 
 r ,   U  r sin    K ln r  C (1)
       r  
Uniform Doublet Line vortex Arbitrary
flow at origin at origin constant

Use result that radius 

R  And set : C  K ln R
of resulting cylinder is : U

  
(1)   r ,   U  sin   r    K ln r  K ln R
 U r
 
  1
 U  sin   r    K ln r  ln R 
 U r 


 R2  r
  U  sin   r    K ln
 r  R

1   R2 
ur   U  cos  1  2 
r   r 
Velocity
Components    R2 
u     U  sin  1  2   K / r
r  r 
05/28/22 46
Continued...

• So, on surface (r=R), velocity components are:

K
ur  0 u   2 U  sin  
R

• Surface Stagnation points also need: u  0

K
 sin  
2 RU 
Note: By setting vortex strength zero (K=0), recover flow over cylinder in
uniform flow with stagnation points at   0, 

• Plotting,… Choose value for K,… Now first get value of S.F. for r=R,... then set S.F.
equal to that value,… then compile table r vs. angle… This gives particular streamline
through stagnation points.

Then choose any other point in flow field not on stagnation streamline,…
determine value of S.F. for this point,… set S.F. equal to that value,… then
compile table r vs. angle… This gives streamline through the chosen particular
points… Then choose another point in flow field… etc (compare flow chart from
beginning of lecture). For various values of K the following, flow fields emerge...

K 0 K 1

K 2 K 3

05/28/22 47
 Pressure Distribution Around the Cylinder
• To evaluate pressure on cylinder surface use Bernoulli Eq. along S.L. that
originates far upstream where flow is undisturbed. Ignoring gravity forces:
1 2 1
p   U   p S   U S2
  2      2 
Upstream On cylinder
undisturbe d surface
flow
1  U S2 
• Re-arranging...  p S  p   U 2 1  
2  U2 
  
K
• Substituting for flow speed    2 U  sin  
( u R  0 , ugives... )
R

 p S  p 
1
 U 2
  2
1  u R  u
2
  1
 U 2
 2 
1  u 
2  U 2  2  U2 
   


1
2

 U 2 1   2 U  sin   K / R 2 U 2 
… difference in pressures between surface and undisturbed free stream
2
1  4K  K  
p S  p   U 2 2
1  4 sin   sin      (1)
2  R U   R U   

In particular for non-rotating cylinder

where K=0: (2)
1
p S  p   U 2 1  4 sin 2  
2


Def.: Pressure
Coefficient

Cp 
p S  p
1
 U 2
 1  4 sin 2   Only top half of cyl. shown.
2
05/28/22 48
Continued...
 2 
p S  p 4K  K 
Qualitative behaviour of Cp 
1
2
 1  4 sin   sin     
 U2  R U   R U   

2
for various values of K RU. 

(  0 : Rear of cylinder. ,    2  1 .57 : Top of cylinder ,

    3 .14 : Front of cyl. ,   3 2  4 .71 : Bott. of cyl. )

• Best way of interpreting above graphs is to think of flow velocity and radius being constant
while vortex strength is increasing from one plot to next.
• When plotting graphs I did not explicitly specify velocity or radius! I simply used different
numeric values for K RU  in order to illustrate behavior of graph. I have not considered
49 if
any of these cases may not be realizable in reality or not!.
 Continued...
1  4K  K 
2

Equation (1) … p S  p   U 2 2
1  4 sin   sin     
2  RU   R U  
… can be used to calculate net lift and drag acting on cylinder!

Sketch (A) Sketch (B)

• In Sketch (B) ...

 L  p   sin    p S  p   sin   D  p   cos    p S  p   cos 
• Hence, integration around cylinder surface yields total L and D ...
2 2
L
 p
0
S  p  sin  b R d D
 p
0
S  p  cos b R d

where b is width (into paper) of cylinder. Substituting for pressure using Eq.
(1), and integrating (most terms drop out), leads to following results:
1  4K 
L    U 2    b R
2  R U 

  2 U K  b D0
Or, lift per unit width:

L Thus, drag zero…
   U  2  K     U  
b a remarkable result!
 
Kutta  Joukowski d' Alembert' s
05/28/22
Lift Theorem Paradox 50
Continued...

• Net lift is indicated in sketch below. ... Note that if a line vortex is used which rotates
in mathematically positive sense (anti-clockwise) then resulting lift is negative, i.e.
downwards.

U L
   U 
b

L
• Final notes: How is lift generated? ... From sketch above and from
pressure profiles plotted earlier it is evident how this is physically
achieved… Breaking of the flow symmetry in x-axis means that flow
round lower part of cylinder is faster than round top - this means that
pressure is lower round bottom and so a net downward force results.
Notice that symmetry in y-axis is retained … symmetry of pressure
on left-hand and right-hand faces is retained and so there is no net
drag force. Keep in mind that our analysis was for an ideal fluid (i.e.
there is no viscosity). In a real flow would fore-aft symmetry be
retained?

• Lastly, since lift is proportional to circulation, we wish to make

circulation large to generate a large lifting force. In applications of
above flow this is achieved by spinning cylinder to produce large
vorticity.

05/28/22 51