Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ii / Paper 3 / 37B (Fluid Dynamics II)

Write $Q=U_j{x}_j$ and use repeated-index summation. Direct differentiation givesTracing yields ${\partial }_i{u}_i=0$. Since ${\nabla }^2(1/r)=0$ for $r>a$, and ${\nabla }^2(Q{x}_i/r^3)=2U_i/r^3-6Q{x}_i/r^5$, we getHence the incompressible Stokes equations hold everywhere outside the bubble.

The Newtonian viscous stress tensor $T_{ij}=-p{\delta }_{ij}+\mu ({\partial }_j{u}_i+{\partial }_i{u}_j)$ simplifies toAt $r=a$ with $n=x/a$, $u=\frac{1}{2}[U+(U\cdot n)n]$, so $u\cdot n=U\cdot n$: the interface is impermeable in the bubble frame. Also $Tn=-(3\mu /a)(U\cdot n)n$ is purely normal, so the tangential traction vanishes, appropriate to a clean bubble with negligible internal viscosity. The tangential fluid velocity need not equal the bubble's velocity. At infinity $u,p\to 0$. The calculation assumes the usual spherical, negligible-deformation limit; exact normal-stress balance includes interior pressure, surface tension and any buoyancy sustaining the motion.

Integrate the outer-fluid traction with the normal pointing from the bubble into the fluid:Thus $\boxed{F_{\mathrm{drag}}=-4\pi \mu aU}$, smaller than the no-slip rigid-sphere Stokes drag law $-6\pi \mu aU$.