 Residence time in planar extension

An original local flow model has velocity $\mathbf{v}=(\dot{ϵ}x,-\dot{ϵ}y,0)$ for constant extensional strain rate $\dot{ϵ}>0$. Its divergence is zero, and its trajectories satisfy the displayed equations. Material approaches along $y$ and leaves along $x$. If the idealized observation region ends at $|x|=L$, a trajectory starting at $0<|x_0|<L$ has residence timeFor chosen $\dot{ϵ}=1{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$, $L=1\mathrm{mm}$ and $|x_0|=0.01\mathrm{mm}$, this is $\log 100\mathrm{s}\simeq 4.61\mathrm{s}$. Starting ten times farther from the symmetry line halves this particular residence time. The mathematical trajectory $x_0=0$ never exits in this model; diffusion, imperfect flow and finite apparatus prevent treating that ideal trajectory as a guaranteed infinite exposure in an experiment.