ME 221 Problem Set 3 Solutions

Problem 1
Given: The velocity field V = Ax2 y î + Bxy 2 ĵ. Based on dimensional analysis for the
velocity vector to be in m/s with coordinates in meters, the constants are A = 2 m−2 s−1
and B = 1 m−2 s−1 . Thus, the velocity components are:

u = 2x2 y and v = xy 2

Solution: The differential equation for a streamline in 2D flow is given by:

dy v
=
dx u
Substitute the velocity components into the equation:

dy xy 2 y
= 2 =
dx 2x y 2x
Separate the variables and integrate:
Z Z
dy dx 1 1 1
= =⇒ dy = dx
y 2x y 2 x
1
ln |y| = ln |x| + C1 =⇒ ln |y| = ln |x|1/2 + C1
2
Exponentiating both sides yields the general equation for the streamlines:
√
y=C x

Particular Streamlines:
√ √
• For point (1, 1): 1 = C 1 =⇒ C = 1. Equation: y = x
√ √
• For point (1, 2): 2 = C 1 =⇒ C = 2. Equation: y = 2 x
√ √ √
• For point (2, 2): 2 = C 2 =⇒ C = 2. Equation: y = 2x

1
 Streamlines for Problem 1
4
y (m)(1, 1) : y = √x
√
(1, 2) : y = 2 x
3 √
(2, 2) : y = 2x

x (m)
1 2 3 4

2
Problem 2
Given: 2D stagnation flow with u = Ax and v = −Ay (A > 0).
Solution: The differential equation for the streamline is:
dy v −Ay y
= = =−
dx u Ax x
Separate the variables and integrate:
Z Z
dy dx 1 1
=− =⇒ dy = − dx
y x y x

ln |y| = − ln |x| + C1 =⇒ ln |xy| = C1 =⇒ xy = C

The general equation for the streamlines is a family of hyperbolas:
C
y=
x
Particular Streamlines:

• For point (1, 1): (1)(1) = C =⇒ C = 1. Equation: y = 1/x

• For point (1, 2): (1)(2) = C =⇒ C = 2. Equation: y = 2/x

• For point (2, 2): (2)(2) = C =⇒ C = 4. Equation: y = 4/x

Stagnation Flow Streamlines

5 y
(1, 1) : y = 1/x
4 (1, 2) : y = 2/x
(2, 2) : y = 4/x
3

x
1 2 3 4

3
Problem 3
Given: Free vortex with velocities vt = 5r and vr = 0.
Solution: In polar coordinates, the streamline equation is given by dr vr
= rdθ
vt
. Since
vr = 0, there is no radial flow, meaning dr = 0. Therefore, the radius is constant along a
streamline:
r=C
The
p points given in Cartesian coordinates (x, y) correspond to radial distances r =
x2 + y 2 .
√
• For point (0, 1): r = 02 + 12 = 1. Streamline: r = 1
√
• For point (0, 2): r = 02 + 22 = 2. Streamline: r = 2
√
• For point (0, 3): r = 02 + 32 = 3. Streamline: r = 3
p
The velocity magnitude is v(r) = vr2 + vt2 = |vt | = 5r .
Velocity at the origin: As r → 0, v → ∞. The velocity at the origin (0, 0) is a
singularity (undefined or infinite).

Velocity vs. Radius

Streamlines for Free Vortex 10
v(r)
y
8
2
6

x
4
−4 −2 2 4
2
−2
r
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

4
Problem 4
Given: Forced vortex with velocities vt = ωr and vr = 0.
Solution: Similar to Problem 3, since vr = 0, the flow is purely tangential. The
streamlines are concentric circles given by:

r=C

Using the given points (0, 1), (0, 2), (0, 3), the corresponding radii are r = 1, r = 2, r = 3.

• For point (0, 1): Streamline: r = 1

• For point (0, 2): Streamline: r = 2

• For point (0, 3): Streamline: r = 3

p
The velocity magnitude is v(r) = vr2 + vt2 = |ωr|.
Velocity at the origin: At r = 0, v(0) = ω(0) = 0.

Velocity vs. Radius (assuming ω = 1)

Streamlines for Forced Vortex 4
v(r)
y
3
2

2
x
−4 −2 2 4
1
−2
r
1 2 3 4

5
Problem 5
Given: V = ax3 î + bxy 3 ĵ where a = 1 m−2 s−1 and b = 1 m−3 s−1 . Thus, u = x3 and
v = xy 3 .
Solution: The differential equation for the streamline is:

dy v xy 3 y3
= = 3 = 2
dx u x x
Separate the variables and integrate:
Z Z
dy dx −3
3
= 2 =⇒ y dy = x−2 dx
y x
1 1 1 1
− 2
= − − C =⇒ 2
= +C
2y x 2y x
Multiply by 2 and let K = 2C to yield the general equation:
1 2 1
2
= + K =⇒ y = q
y x 2
+K
x

Particular Streamlines:

• For point (2, 0.25) or (2, 1/4): 1

(1/4)2
= 2
2
+ K =⇒ 16 = 1 + K =⇒ K = 15.
Equation: y = √ 1
2/x+15

• For point (2, 0.5) or (2, 1/2): 1

(1/2)2
= 2
2
+ K =⇒ 4 = 1 + K =⇒ K = 3.
Equation: y = √ 1
2/x+3

• For point (2, 1): (1)1 2 = 22 + K =⇒ 1 = 1 + K =⇒ K = 0.

Equation: y12 = x2 =⇒ y = x2
p

Streamlines for Problem 5

2 y

1.5

0.5 (2, 0.25)

(2, 0.5)
(2, 1)
x
1 2 3 4 5