Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2018/iii/paper-329/3/a/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 329 3 a Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
Let measure distance normal to the plane, with the wall at and the free surface at . Take density , dynamic viscosity , and gravitational acceleration . In lubrication theory, normal momentum balance gives hydrostatic pressure while inertia and streamwise viscous derivatives are smaller. With negligible surface tension and negligible air shear,Apply the no-slip boundary condition at , and zero leading tangential stress at . The velocity profiles areDepth integration gives the volume flux, with :Combining incompressibility with the wall and surface kinematic conditions gives conservation of mass, . Therefore the two-dimensional version of the gravity-driven thin film on an incline satisfiesDirect downslope gravity supplies the advective term, while gradients of the hydrostatic pressure spread the film along the surface. At this reduces to nonlinear gravitational spreading in a horizontal film.
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