Talk:Stream function

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Hello everyone,

Could someone explain if there is something like a 3d-stream function and if not, why not? (unsigned)

[edit] Article should be more general

Stream functions do not just describe fluid. These functions apply to equipotential lines for a variety of phenomena. This article should be much more general, since these functions are used in electrical engineering, physics, etc.... Anyone?Tparameter 04:56, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

going... going... Tparameter 17:49, 9 November 2006 (UTC)

I think that the article is very general but there is too much maths and not enough explaining. It is easy to define something but harder to write an encyclopaedic article about it. I will have a go when I have more time. I must say that I have not come across stream functions outside of fluids, they appear in aeronautics and hydrodynamics, where else have you used them? Rex the first ^{talk | contribs} 21:05, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Suggested expansion for fluid dynamics

I was not sure where to include this. It is mostly specific to fluid dynamics. Refer to comments section for more details.

Stream functions are defined so that they satisfy the continuity equation at all times. This is useful because it decreases the number of equations and variables, one needs to handle. Also once we find the stream function for a particular flow we are assured that the continuity equation is satisfied. This is most easily accomplished in 2D, steady, incompressible flow, where the continuity equation has only two terms. ^[1] It is also possible to define stream function for 2D, steady, compressible flow ^[2] as follows:

$\rho u = \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial y},\qquad \rho v = -\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x}$

The trade-off for the decreased number of terms and equations is in the increased order of the velocity terms.

In steady, 2D flows, stream function can be assigned a physical meaning by noting that ^[3],

Lines with constant value of stream function form the streamlines of the flow. Across these lines there is no mass flow.
The difference in the value of the stream function on any two streamlines is numerically equal to the mass flow between those two streamlines.

[edit] Few comments

Stream function are defined to satisfy the continuity equation. The fact they also represent the streamlines in certain cases is secondary.
Stream functions are generally used in cases where the continuity equation can be reduced to two terms. In such cases the use of stream function decreases the number of variables and equations by one.
I have not encountered stream functions in 3D flows, but I think it should be possible to define a stream function in such cases too.

[edit] Notes

^ The fluid dynamics continuity equation for a 2D, steady, incompressible flow:

$\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial v}{\partial y} = 0$
^ The fluid dynamics continuity equation for a 2D, steady, compressible flow:

$\frac{\partial (\rho u)}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial (\rho v)}{\partial y} = 0$
^ Consider a 2D, steady, compressible flow.

$\begin{align} d \psi & = \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x} dx + \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial y} dy \\ & = -\rho v dx + \rho u dy \\ & = \rho \vec V \cdot d \vec A \\ & = d \dot m \\ \end{align}$