Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-fluids-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2022/2/d/solution

Use the same stream function convention and denote differentiation with respect to the dimensionless variable by a prime. The proposed similarity solution gives
Its continuity equation holds identically. Substitution in the tangential Prandtl boundary-layer equation gives
Choose the constant scale . The Hiemenz flow equation and its boundary conditions are
The first two conditions impose the no-penetration boundary condition and no-slip boundary condition. The last matches the tangential outer velocity. One also has and . It is too strong to impose : the displacement thickness generally permits a constant offset, .
The normal Navier-Stokes equation makes the approximation in part (c) explicit. With this similarity solution, it gives
At the wall this differs from by . This is a concrete next-order counterexample to interpreting the printed normal pressure gradient equality exactly; the tangential Hiemenz flow equation remains valid at its stated order.

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