stream function

stream function [′strēm ‚fəŋk·shən]

(fluid mechanics)

Lagrange stream function

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Stream function

In fluid mechanics, a mathematical idea which satisfies identically, and therefore eliminates completely, the equation of mass conservation. If the flow field consists of only two space coordinates, for example, x and y, a single and very useful stream function ψ(x, y) will arise. If there are three space coordinates, such as (x, y, z), multiple stream functions are needed, and the idea becomes much less useful and is much less widely employed.

The stream function not only is mathematically useful but also has a vivid physical meaning. Lines of constant ψ are streamlines of the flow; that is, they are everywhere parallel to the local velocity vector. No flow can exist normal to a streamline; thus, selected ψ lines can be interpreted as solid boundaries of the flow.

Further, ψ is also quantitatively useful. In plane flow, for any two points in the flow field, the difference in their stream function values represents the volume flow between the points. See Creeping flow, Fluid flow