Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2019 / iii / Paper 329 / 2 / Solution

For the stated axisymmetric flow, the diagonal components of the rate-of-strain tensor areTheir sum is $u_r+u/r+w_z=0$, the incompressibility condition. In the leading thin-sheet approximation, vanishing tangential traction makes $u$ independent of $z$. The normal stress boundary condition is ${\sigma }_{zz}=-p_{\mathrm{ext}}$, so the Newtonian fluid stress tensor givesThereforeFor the small annular sector, the inner and outer radial faces contribute $2\delta \theta {\partial }_r(rh{\sigma }_{rr})\delta r$ in the radial direction. The two azimuthal faces contribute $-2\delta \theta h{\sigma }_{\theta \theta }\delta r$: their hoop tractions have inward radial components. The combined radial force of the external pressure on the sloping upper and lower surfaces is $2\delta \theta r{p}_{\mathrm{ext}}{h}_r\delta r$.

Neglecting inertia, force balance is thusSubstituting the two stresses cancels the terms involving $p_{\mathrm{ext}}{h}_r$ and gives the axisymmetric viscous-sheet stretching equations:Finally, conservation of mass in the sector gives