Past exam of the theoretical mechanics course of the University of Oxford / 2008 / A / 2 / i / Solution

Let $\delta =R{e}^{-1/2}$, stretch $Y=y/\delta$ and write the original transverse velocity as $v=\delta V$. Continuity then gives $u_x+V_Y=0$. In the streamwise momentum equation $u_{yy}/Re=u_{YY}$ is order one, while $u_{xx}/Re$ is negligible. The transverse equation gives $p_Y=0$ to leading order, so pressure is supplied by the outer Euler flow. Its streamwise balance is $p_x=-U{U}^{\prime }$. ConsequentlyFor a stationary impermeable plate, $\boxed{u(x,0)=V(x,0)=0}$, with matching $\boxed{u(x,Y)\to U(x)}$ as $Y\to \infty$. The transverse velocity must match the outer displacement flow; it is generally wrong to impose $V\to 0$ independently at infinity.

At the leading edge the wall no-slip data meet the external stream abruptly, and the boundary-layer approximation is nonuniform. For a constant external speed, the thickness is $O(\sqrt{x/Re})$, whose ratio to $x$ ceases to be small when the local Reynolds number is order one. A leading-edge region retaining neglected derivatives is needed there. An adverse pressure gradient can also cause separation farther downstream; a large global Reynolds number alone does not prevent it.