Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 iii Paper 329 1 a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The Papkovich–Neuber representation writes a homogeneous Stokes flow in terms of a harmonic vector field and a harmonic scalar asFor translation, rotational symmetry and decay at infinity restrict the trial harmonic fields to the fundamental harmonic and its directional derivatives contracted with . For rotation, the only decaying isotropic axial-vector field with the required boundary value is proportional to . Matching the no-slip boundary condition at 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 gives the prescribed rigid velocity.
When , the pressure is constant and may be set to zero. Differentiating the rotational velocity and using the Newtonian fluid stress tensor gives