BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.

2 Page 1 of 9

Problem 4A.2
Velocity near a moving sphere. A sphere of radius R is falling in creeping flow with a
terminal velocity v∞ through a quiescent fluid of viscosity µ. At what horizontal distance from
the sphere does the velocity of the fluid fall to 1% of the terminal velocity of the sphere?

Answer: About 37 diameters

Solution

For a falling sphere in creeping flow (also known as Stokes flow), the following spherical
coordinate system was considered in §2.6.

The components of velocity of the surrounding fluid were found by means of a stream function in
Example 4.2-1 to be
"   #
1 R 3
 
3 R
vr = v∞ 1 − + cos θ
2 r 2 r
"   #
1 R 3
 
3 R
vθ = v∞ −1 + + sin θ
4 r 4 r
vφ = 0.

A horizontal distance from the sphere occurs at θ = π/2.

 π 
vr r, , φ = 0
2 "   #
1 R 3
 π   
3 R
vθ r, , φ = v∞ −1 + +
2 4 r 4 r
 π 
vφ r, , φ = 0
2

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.2 Page 2 of 9

The aim in this problem is to find the horizontal distance from the sphere such that the fluid
velocity is 0.01v∞ downward. Note that because the fluid is assumed not to slip on the sphere’s
surface, points on the sphere have a velocity of v∞ downward.

The previous formulas cannot be applied at the moment because they were derived for a
stationary sphere in a fluid flowing upward from the bottom. Add v∞ ẑ to the velocity at every
point to not only make the sphere stationary, but also to introduce a flow from the bottom.

Set vθ = −0.99v∞ and solve this equation for r. The minus sign accounts for the fact that the
fluid flows around the sphere in the negative θ-direction.
"   #
1 R 3
 
3 R
v∞ −1 + + = −0.99v∞
4 r 4 r

1 R 3
   
3 R
1− − = 0.99
4 r 4 r
1 R 3
   
3 R
0.01 − − =0
4 r 4 r

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.2 Page 3 of 9

Plot this function on the left side versus R/r and find where it crosses the horizontal axis.

Therefore,
R
≈ 0.0133325 → r ≈ 75R ≈ 37 diameters.
r

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.2 Page 4 of 9

Here the formulas for the pressure and components of velocity for the flow around a sphere will be
derived without using a stream function. For a stationary sphere in a fluid flowing upward from
the bottom (illustrated in Fig. 2.6-1), the velocity of the surrounding fluid is assumed to have
radial and polar components that both vary with r and θ.

v = vr (r, θ)r̂ + vθ (r, θ)θ̂

In addition, the pressure is assumed to vary with r and θ.

p = p(r, θ)

One boundary condition is obtained from the assumption that no fluid crosses the spherical
surface (that is, it’s impermeable), and a second is obtained from the assumption that the fluid
does not slip on the spherical surface.

Boundary Condition 1: vr (R, θ) = 0

Boundary Condition 2: vθ (R, θ) = 0

Another two boundary conditions are obtained from the fact that the flow is symmetric about the
line which is collinear with the polar axis.
∂vr
Boundary Condition 3: (r, 0) = 0
∂θ
∂vr
Boundary Condition 4: (r, π) = 0
∂θ
Another two boundary conditions are obtained from the fact that the flow is entirely radial at
θ = 0 and θ = π.

Boundary Condition 5: vθ (r, 0) = 0

Boundary Condition 6: vθ (r, π) = 0

The equation of continuity results by considering a mass balance over a volume element that the
fluid is flowing through. Since the fluid density is assumed to be constant, the equation simplifies
to
∇ · v = 0.
Expand the left side in spherical coordinates, using the formula in Appendix B.4 on page 846.
1 ∂ 2 1 ∂ 1 ∂vφ
(r vr ) + (vθ sin θ) + =0
r2 ∂r r sin θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ
| {z }
=0

Multiply both sides by r2 .

∂ 2 r ∂
(r vr ) + (vθ sin θ) = 0 (1)
∂r sin θ ∂θ
The equation of motion results by considering a momentum balance over a volume element that
the fluid is flowing through. Assuming the fluid viscosity µ is also constant, the equation
simplifies to the Navier-Stokes equation.
∂
ρv + ∇ · ρvv = −∇p + µ∇2 v + ρg
∂t

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.2 Page 5 of 9

As this is a vector equation, it actually represents three scalar equations, one for each variable in
the chosen coordinate system. From Appendix B.6 on page 848, the Navier-Stokes equation yields
the following three scalar equations in spherical coordinates.

vθ2 + vφ2
 
∂vr ∂vr vθ ∂vr vφ ∂vr ∂p
ρ + vr + + − =−
∂t ∂r r ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ r ∂r
2 ∂ 2 vr
   
1 ∂ 2 1 ∂ ∂vr 1
+ µ 2 2 (r vr ) + 2 sin θ + 2 2 + ρgr
r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ2

vr vθ − vφ2 cot θ
 
∂vθ ∂vθ vθ ∂vθ vφ ∂vθ 1 ∂p
ρ + vr + + + =−
∂t ∂r r ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ r r ∂θ
    
1 ∂ 2 ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂
+µ 2 r + 2 (vθ sin θ)
r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ
∂ 2 vθ

1 2 ∂vr 2 cot θ ∂vφ
+ 2 2 + 2 − 2 + ρgθ
r sin θ ∂φ2 r ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ

 
∂vφ ∂vφ vθ ∂vφ vφ ∂vφ vφ vr + vθ vφ cot θ 1 ∂p
ρ + vr + + + =−
∂t ∂r r ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ r r sin θ ∂φ
    
1 ∂ 2 ∂vφ 1 ∂ 1 ∂
+µ 2 r + 2 (vφ sin θ)
r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ
∂ 2 vφ

1 2 ∂vr 2 cot θ ∂vθ
+ 2 2 + 2 + 2 + ρgφ
r sin θ ∂φ2 r sin θ ∂φ r sin θ ∂φ
All acceleration terms on each left side are neglected because of the creeping flow assumption.
The two relevant equations are as follows.
=0
 z }| {
1 ∂2 2 ∂ 2 vr
 
∂p 1 ∂ ∂vr 1
0=− + µ 2 2 (r vr ) + 2 sin θ + 2 2 + ρgr (2)
∂r r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ2
∂ 2 vθ 2 ∂vr
     
1 ∂p 1 ∂ 2 ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 1 2 cot θ ∂vφ
0=− +µ 2 r + 2 (vθ sin θ) + 2 2 + − 2 + ρgθ
r ∂θ r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ2 r2 ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ
| {z } | {z }
=0 =0
(3)

The system of equations (1), (2), and (3) can be solved for the three unknowns, p, vr , and vθ .
Multiply both sides of equation (3) by −r.

1 ∂2 2
  
∂p 1 ∂ ∂vr
0=− + µ 2 2 (r vr ) + 2 sin θ + ρgr
∂r r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ
     
∂p 1 ∂ 2 ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vr
0= +µ − r − (vθ sin θ) − − ρgθ r
∂θ r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r ∂θ

In this problem gravity points straight down: g = −gẑ. Write this unit vector in terms of r̂ and θ̂
by using formula A.6-33 on page 828.

g = −g[(cos θ)r̂ + (− sin θ)θ̂] = −g(cos θ)r̂ + g(sin θ)θ̂

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.2 Page 6 of 9

We see that gr = −g cos θ and gθ = g sin θ. The previous two equations become

1 ∂2 2
  
∂p 1 ∂ ∂vr
0=− + µ 2 2 (r vr ) + 2 sin θ − ρg cos θ
∂r r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ
     
∂p 1 ∂ ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vr
0= +µ − r2 − (vθ sin θ) − − ρgr sin θ.
∂θ r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r ∂θ

Combine the first and last terms on the right side of each equation.

1 ∂2 2
  
∂ 1 ∂ ∂vr
0 = − (p + ρgr cos θ) + µ 2 2 (r vr ) + 2 sin θ
∂r r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ
     
∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vr
0= (p + ρgr cos θ) + µ − r − (vθ sin θ) −
∂θ r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r ∂θ

Introduce the modified pressure function P(r, θ) = p(r, θ) + ρgr cos θ.

1 ∂2
  
∂P 1 ∂ ∂vr
0=− + µ 2 2 (r2 vr ) + 2 sin θ (4)
∂r r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ
     
∂P 1 ∂ 2 ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vr
0= +µ − r − (vθ sin θ) − (5)
∂θ r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r ∂θ

Differentiate both sides of the first equation with respect to θ, and differentiate both sides of the
second equation with respect to r.

∂2P ∂ 1 ∂2 2
  
1 ∂ ∂vr
0=− +µ (r vr ) + 2 sin θ
∂θ∂r ∂θ r2 ∂r2 r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ
∂ P
2
     
∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vr
0= +µ − r − (vθ sin θ) −
∂r∂θ ∂r r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r ∂θ

Add the respective sides of each equation in order to eliminate the modified pressure. The mixed
derivatives are equal by Clairaut’s theorem.

∂ 1 ∂2 2
        
1 ∂ ∂vr ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vr
0=µ (r vr ) + 2 sin θ +µ − r − (vθ sin θ) −
∂θ r2 ∂r2 r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ ∂r r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r ∂θ

Divide both sides by µ.

∂ 1 ∂2 2
        
1 ∂ ∂vr ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂vr
0= (r vr ) + 2 sin θ + − r − (vθ sin θ) −
∂θ r2 ∂r2 r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ ∂r r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r ∂θ
(6)

Equations (1) and (6) together form a system of two equations for vr and vθ . Since both PDEs
are linear and homogeneous, the method of separation of variables can be applied to get a
solution. Assume that vr and vθ have product solutions like so: vr = Q(r)T (θ) and vθ = ξ(r)Θ(θ).
In particular, based on boundary conditions 3 and 4, we hypothesize that T (θ) = cos θ; in
addition, based on boundary conditions 5 and 6, we hypothesize that Θ(θ) = sin θ.

vr (r, θ) = Q(r) cos θ

vθ (r, θ) = ξ(r) sin θ

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.2 Page 7 of 9

Substitute these formulas into equations (1) and (6).

∂ 2 r ∂
[r Q(r) cos θ] + [ξ(r) sin2 θ] = 0
∂r  sin θ ∂θ
∂ 1 ∂2 2
 
1 ∂ ∂
[r Q(r) cos θ] + 2 sin θ [Q(r) cos θ]
∂θ r2 ∂r2 r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ
     
∂ 1 ∂ 2 ∂ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ 2 2 ∂
+ − r [ξ(r) sin θ] − [ξ(r) sin θ] − [Q(r) cos θ] = 0
∂r r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ sin θ ∂θ r ∂θ

Evaluate the derivatives and expand the left sides.

2rQ(r) cos θ + r2 Q0 (r) cos θ + 2rξ(r) cos θ = 0

4 sin θ 2 sin
θ 2 sinθ
− Q00 (r) sin θ − Q0 (r) − Q(r)
2 + Q(r)2
r   r   r
000 00 0 2 sin θ 2 sin θ 2 sin θ 2 sin θ
− rξ (r) sin θ − 3ξ (r) sin θ + ξ (r) − ξ(r) 2 + Q0 (r) − Q(r) 2 = 0
r r r r
Divide both sides of the first equation by r cos θ, and divide both sides of the second equation by
sin θ.

2Q(r) + rQ0 (r) + 2ξ(r) = 0

2 2 2 2
−Q00 (r) − Q0 (r) − Q(r) 2 − rξ 000 (r) − 3ξ 00 (r) + ξ 0 (r) − ξ(r) 2 = 0
r r r r
Solve the first equation for ξ(r)
r
ξ(r) = −Q(r) − Q0 (r) (7)
2
and then substitute it into the second equation.

2 2 h r i000 h r i00
− Q00 (r) − Q0 (r) − Q(r) 2 − r −Q(r) − Q0 (r) − 3 −Q(r) − Q0 (r)
r r 2 2
h r 0 i0 2 h r i 2
+ −Q(r) − Q (r) − −Q(r) − Q0 (r) 2 = 0
2 r 2 r
Simplify the left side.
1 2 0000 4
r Q + 4rQ000 + 4Q00 − Q0 = 0
2 r
Multiply both sides by 2r2 .

r4 Q0000 + 8r3 Q000 + 8r2 Q00 − 8rQ0 = 0

This is a homogeneous equidimensional ODE, so its solution is of the form Q = rm .

Q = rm → Q0 = mrm−1 → Q00 = m(m − 1)rm−2 → Q000 = m(m − 1)(m − 2)rm−3

→ Q0000 = m(m − 1)(m − 2)(m − 3)rm−4

Substitute these formulas into the ODE.

r4 m(m − 1)(m − 2)(m − 3)rm−4 + 8r3 m(m − 1)(m − 2)rm−3 + 8r2 m(m − 1)rm−2 − 8rmrm−1 = 0

m(m − 1)(m − 2)(m − 3)rm + 8m(m − 1)(m − 2)rm + 8m(m − 1)rm − 8mrm = 0

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.2 Page 8 of 9

Divide both sides by rm .

m(m − 1)(m − 2)(m − 3) + 8m(m − 1)(m − 2) + 8m(m − 1) − 8m = 0

Expand the left side.

m4 + 2m3 − 5m2 − 6m = 0
m(m + 3)(m + 1)(m − 2) = 0
m = {−3, −1, 0, 2}
Four solutions to the ODE are Q = r−3 and Q = r−1 and Q = r0 = 1 and Q = r2 . By the
principle of superposition, the general solution to the ODE is a linear combination of these four.

Q(r) = C1 r−3 + C2 r−1 + C3 + C4 r2

Substitute this formula for Q into equation (7) to get ξ.

C1 −3 C2 −1
ξ(r) = r − r − C3 − 2C4 r2
2 2
Therefore, since vr (r, θ) = Q(r) cos θ and vθ (r, θ) = ξ(r) sin θ,
 
C1 C2 2
vr (r, θ) = + + C3 + C4 r cos θ
r3 r
 
C1 C2 2
vθ (r, θ) = − − C3 − 2C4 r sin θ.
2r3 2r

Now plug these formulas into equations (4) and (5) to get the modified pressure.
 
∂P C2
0=− + 2µ 5C4 − 3 cos θ
∂r r
 
∂P C2
0= +µ + 10C4 r sin θ
∂θ r2
Solve for the derivatives.
 
∂P C2
= 2µ 5C4 − 3 cos θ
∂r r
 
∂P C2
= −µ + 10C 4 r sin θ
∂θ r2
Integrate both sides of the second equation partially with respect to θ to get P.
 
C2
P(r, θ) = µ + 10C4 r cos θ + f (r)
r2
Differentiate both sides with respect to r.
 
∂P 2C2
= µ − 3 + 10C4 cos θ + f 0 (r)
∂r r

Comparing this to the previous equation for ∂P/∂r, we see that

f 0 (r) = 0.

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 4 - Problem 4A.2 Page 9 of 9

Integrate both sides with respect to r.

f (r) = P∞
The modified pressure is then
 
C2
P(r, θ) = µ + 10C 4 r cos θ + P∞ .
r2
We require that P = P∞ in the limit as r → ∞: C4 = 0.
C2
P(r, θ) = µ cos θ + P∞
r2
Therefore, since p(r, θ) = P(r, θ) − ρgr cos θ,

C2
p(r, θ) = P∞ − ρgr cos θ + µ cos θ.
r2
C4 = 0, so the velocity components become
 
C1 C2
vr (r, θ) = + + C 3 cos θ
r3 r
 
C1 C2
vθ (r, θ) = − − C3 sin θ.
2r3 2r
Apply boundary conditions 1 and 2 to determine C1 and C3 .
 
C1 C2
vr (R, θ) = + + C3 cos θ = 0
R3 R
 
C1 C2
vθ (R, θ) = − − C3 sin θ = 0
2R3 2R
Solving this system of equations yields
C2 R 2 2C2
C1 = − and C3 = − .
3 3R
As a result, the velocity components become
C2 R2 C2 2C2
 
vr (r, θ) = − + − cos θ
3r3 r 3R
C2 R2 C2 2C2
 
vθ (r, θ) = − − + sin θ,
6r3 2r 3R
or after simplifying,
"   #
1 R 3
 
2C2 3 R
vr (r, θ) = − 1− + cos θ
3R 2 r 2 r
"   #
1 R 3
 
2C2 3 R
vθ (r, θ) = − −1 + + sin θ.
3R 4 r 4 r

The boxed formulas in §2.6 are obtained by setting P∞ = p0 , noting that z = r cos θ, and using
one final boundary condition to determine that −2C2 /(3R) = v∞ .

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