For two zero-body-force Stokes flows and in the same domain, the Lorentz reciprocal theorem for Stokes flow states
Apply it first with the auxiliary translating-sphere solution and then with the auxiliary rotating-sphere solution. The swimmer is force-free and torque-free, while the auxiliary surface tractions are known. The resulting surface slip velocity formulas are
On , the first part of the prescribed slip is
Its surface average is , whereas the term has zero average by oddness. Thus
The term contributes no rotation. For the other term, the isotropic second and fourth surface moments give
and hence
Squirmer 2026-09-24
A squirmer is an idealized spherical microswimmer propelled by a prescribed tangential surface slip velocity. The Lorentz reciprocal theorem for Stokes flow determines its rigid translation and rotation without solving its complete exterior flow.