Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2025 / iii / Paper 329 / 1 / a / Solution

The Papkovich–Neuber representation writes a homogeneous Stokes flow in terms of a harmonic vector field $\mathbf{\Phi }$ and a harmonic scalar $\chi$ asFor translation, rotational symmetry and decay at infinity restrict the trial harmonic fields to the fundamental harmonic $1/r$ and its directional derivatives contracted with $\mathbf{U}$. For rotation, the only decaying isotropic axial-vector field with the required boundary value is proportional to $\mathbf{\Omega }\times \mathbf{x}/r^3$. Matching the no-slip boundary condition $\mathbf{u}=\mathbf{U}+\mathbf{\Omega }\times \mathbf{x}$ at $r=a$ gives the superposition of the translating sphere in Stokes flow and the rotating sphere in Stokes flow:Each term decays at infinity, and direct substitution at $r=a$ gives the prescribed rigid velocity.

When $\mathbf{U}=0$, the pressure is constant and may be set to zero. Differentiating the rotational velocity and using the Newtonian fluid stress tensor gives