Past exam of the theoretical mechanics course of the University of Oxford / 2011 / A / 3 / b / ii

For pressure lobes in a symmetric translating lubrication gap, the height integrals areHenceThe denominator of the pressure gradient is positive. Its numerator changes sign when $\sqrt{1+{\hat{x}}^2}=\pi /(2\sqrt{2})$, that is at $\hat{x}=\pm x_{\ast }$ with $x_{\ast }=({\pi }^2/8-1{)}^{1/2}$. The gradient is positive for $|\hat{x}|>x_{\ast }$, zero at those two points, and negative for $|\hat{x}|<x_{\ast }$. Integration, with either endpoint condition, givesThis function is odd and vanishes at $-1,0,1$. It has a positive maximum at $-x_{\ast }$ and a negative minimum at $x_{\ast }$. Thus the sketch has a positive pressure lobe in the converging left half of the gap and a negative gauge-pressure lobe in the diverging right half.