 Solution

One convention for the Papkovich–Neuber representation uses a harmonic vector potential $\mathbf{\Phi }$ and a harmonic scalar potential $\chi$:These are harmonic functions away from any singular force point. Since ${\nabla }^2(\mathbf{r}\cdot \mathbf{\Phi })=2\nabla \cdot \mathbf{\Phi }$, the representation gives $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{u}=0$ and $\mu {\nabla }^2\mathbf{u}=\nabla p$, the equations of homogeneous Stokes flow.

Place the point force at the origin. A velocity linear in $\mathbf{F}$, decaying as $r^{-1}$ and having the rotational symmetry of a point force is obtained from $\mathbf{\Phi }=c\mathbf{F}/r$, $\chi =0$. The vector components are harmonic functions for $r>0$; scalar dipole potentials would instead generate higher-order decaying singularities. The force normalization fixes $c=-1/(4\pi )$. Indeed, substitution gives the Stokeslet:To verify its strength, the Newtonian fluid stress tensor is ${\sigma }_{ij}=-3(\mathbf{F}\cdot \mathbf{r})r_i{r}_j/(4\pi r^5)$. Its outward traction integrated over any sphere surrounding the origin is $-\mathbf{F}$, because $\int \mathbf{nn}d\Omega =(4\pi /3)I$. Thus the localized force applied to the fluid is $\mathbf{F}$, as required. Translation of the origin gives the same Stokeslet centered at any prescribed force point.