Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2014 iii Paper 73 1 b iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Let , and define the dimensionless leading cross-mobility tensorFor a given applied force, the outgoing Stokeslet is fixed by that force, regardless of the sphere's entrainment velocity. At the other center the Faxén translation law gives its force-only velocity plus the incident Stokeslet velocity. The finite-size dipole and the Laplacian Faxén correction first contribute ; an emitted stresslet reflection is still smaller at this order. ThereforeThere is no second-order translational term for prescribed equal forces.
The vorticity of translating-sphere Stokes flow is ; its potential dipole has zero curl. Apply the torque-free Faxén rotation law to the other sphere's field, using at sphere 1 and at sphere 2. This yieldsthrough second order in the dimensionless spin . Neglected spin terms are higher order. This is the method of reflections for Stokes flow, with the ambient field at each application excluding that sphere's own disturbance.