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Potential flows

Based on Kelvin's theorem, large parts of common flow fields are irrotational. In those parts, it is possible to replace the three velocity components by a single scalar ``velocity potential''.

For irrotational flows

This will be outside the boundary layers and wakes. Function is called the velocity potential. The flow is called potential flow or irrotational.

Two-dimensional potential flow:

Exercise:

For ideal stagnation point flow (u,v)= a(x,-y),

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