Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / iii / Paper 329 / 3 / a / Solution

For an axisymmetric surface $r=a(z,t)$, twice the mean curvature with the outward-normal convention isWriting $a=a_0+\eta$ and retaining linear terms gives

At the unperturbed boundary $r=a_0$, the linearized kinematic boundary condition, tangential-stress condition, and Young–Laplace equation areFor a normal mode $e^{ikz+st}$ these become $u(a_0)=s\eta$, ${\sigma }_{rz}(a_0)=0$, and

The Papkovich–Neuber representation of body-force-free Stokes flow iswhere $\mathbf{\Phi }$ and $\chi$ are harmonic.

Let $x=kr$ and $E=e^{ikz+st}$. Substitution of the given radial vector potential and scalar potential givesUsing the modified Bessel function identity $(x{I}_1{)}^{\prime }=x{I}_0$, the tangential stress simplifies toThe stress-free condition at $r=a$ therefore yields