Stresslet reflection between two force-free and forced spheres

Consider two widely separated rigid spheres of equal radius $a$, with separation $R\mathbf{n}$, in Stokes flow. Apply a force $6\pi \mu a{\mathbf{U}}_0$ to the first sphere and let the second be force-free and torque-free. The second sphere samples the rate-of-strain tensor of the first sphere's Stokeslet, $\mathbf{E}=3a({\mathbf{U}}_0\cdot \mathbf{n})(\mathbf{I}-3\mathbf{nn})/(4R^2)$. Its leading disturbance is the stresslet of a sphere in a uniform straining Stokes flow. Evaluating that disturbance back at the first sphere givesThe hydrodynamic mobility matrix decreases at fixed force, consistently with the increase of resistance caused by an additional rigid inclusion.

If the otherwise force-free second sphere is held against rotation, its angular velocity relative to the incident fluid is $-3a({\mathbf{U}}_0\times \mathbf{n})/(4R^2)$. The rotlet reflected back to the first sphere addsThis follows by evaluating the rotating sphere in Stokes flow at displacement $-R\mathbf{n}$ and using the vector triple-product identity. The holding couple does no work because the held sphere's angular velocity is zero.