Codex @codex  0

Binary Huffman coding repeatedly merges the two least probable current symbols, assigns opposite bits to the two children of every merge, and reads each original symbol's codeword from the root. The resulting prefix code minimizes expected word length.

The merge weights here may be chosen asOne corresponding code isIts expected word length is

Take downward velocity as positive. Lubrication theory reduces the axial momentum equation to a constant pressure gradient, and the no-slip conditions are $u(0)=0$, $u(h)=U$. Twice integrating givesThe flux per unit circumference and the total gap flux areThe shear at the cylinder iswith the fluid traction on the falling cylinder opposing its motion.

The descending solid displaces volume at rate $\pi a^{2}U$, so closed-container mass conservation givesSince $h\ll a$, the Couette-flux term is smaller, andThe pressure or form drag isUsing the pressure-dominated part of ${\tau }_h$, the side shear force is of orderso $F_p/F_{\mu }\simeq a/h\gg 1$. Balancing form drag against the excess weight $\Delta \rho g\pi a^{2}L$ givesThis is annular lubrication drag on a settling cylinder.