Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2014/iii/paper-77/3/a/solution

A Stokeslet is the flow produced by a point force. With , its tensor is . A separated pair of equal and opposite forces has no force monopole. Expanding their difference in the separation gives a directional derivative of this tensor. For an axial pair, choose the sign of the strength so that
The trace part of does not affect the flow because . The remaining symmetric force-dipole contribution is the stresslet, decaying as instead of the Stokeslet's . A force-free swimming cell has thrust balanced by drag, so this is typically its leading far field. With it is a pusher microswimmer: axial outflow and transverse inflow. It is distinct from the antisymmetric torque singularity, the rotlet.

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