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Let the thin transverse length be $R{e}^{-1/2}$ times the longitudinal scale and write $Y=R{e}^{1/2}y$, $V=R{e}^{1/2}v$. Continuity then remains $u_x+V_Y=0$. Transverse momentum gives $p_Y=0$ to leading order; the quiescent exterior has constant pressure, hence $p_x=0$. Axial viscous diffusion in $x$ is smaller by $R{e}^{-1}$, leavingSymmetry about the jet centreline requires $V=0$ and $u_Y=0$ at $Y=0$. At large positive $Y$, require $u\to 0$ and $u_Y\to 0$. The transverse velocity can approach a finite nonzero scaled entrainment velocity; imposing $V\to 0$ as well would rule out the jet. The physical transverse velocity remains smaller by $R{e}^{-1/2}$ and matches an entraining outer flow.

Using continuity, the momentum equation is ${\partial }_x(u^2)+{\partial }_Y(uV-u_Y)=0$. Integrating across the jet, the boundary terms vanish because $u,u_Y\to 0$ while $V$ is finite. ThusApart from the dimensional density and velocity/length factors, this is the conserved axial momentum flux supplied by the nozzle. Entrainment increases volume flux without adding axial momentum from the resting exterior.

For $u=x^{\alpha }{f}^{\prime }(\eta )$ with $\eta =Y/x^{\beta }$, use the stream function $\psi =x^{\alpha +\beta }f(\eta )$ so that $u={\psi }_Y$ and $V=-{\psi }_x$. Momentum conservation requires $2\alpha +\beta =0$. Inertia and diffusion scale as $x^{2\alpha -1}$ and $x^{\alpha -2\beta }$, so $\alpha +2\beta =1$. Therefore $\boxed{\alpha =-1/3,\beta =2/3}$. In particularSubstitution reduces momentum to $3f^{(3)}+f{f}^{\prime \prime }+(f^{\prime }{)}^2=0$, with $f(0)=f^{\prime \prime }(0)=0$ and $f^{\prime }(\infty )=0$. Integrating first gives $3f^{\prime \prime }+f{f}^{\prime }=0$, the integration constant vanishing at the centreline. A second integration gives $3f^{\prime }+f^2/2=C$. Parameterize its positive constant as $C=18A^2$ and solve the resulting Riccati equation with $f(0)=0$:The momentum integral fixes its scale, since ${\int }_{-\infty }^{\infty }{\mathrm{sech}}^{4}zdz=4/3$:The upper-half entrainment is $V\to -2A{x}^{-2/3}$; the negative side has the opposite sign, drawing ambient fluid inward. This is the Bickley jet, valid in the slender far-downstream laminar regime, rather than in the immediate nozzle region.