Why is Stokes flow time reversible?

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Thread starter larsa
Start date Mar 4, 2017
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In summary, Stokes flow is considered time reversible due to its slow, viscous nature and resulting dominance of viscosity in its behavior. This means that the equations governing the flow are symmetric under time reversal, allowing for easier prediction and control of the flow. Other types of laminar flow, such as potential flow and Couette flow, also exhibit time reversibility. Time irreversibility does not occur in Stokes flow, but external factors can cause deviations from predicted behavior.

Mar 4, 2017

larsa

What is the intuition behind the fact that stokes flow is time reversible?

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Mar 4, 2017

Andy Resnick

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larsa said:

What is the intuition behind the fact that stokes flow is time reversible?

Because there's no diffusive transport.

Related to Why is Stokes flow time reversible?

1. Why is Stokes flow considered time reversible?

Stokes flow is considered time reversible because it follows the laws of motion in a reversible manner. This means that the equations of motion for Stokes flow are invariant under time reversal, meaning that if the fluid flow is reversed in time, the equations will still hold true. This is due to the fact that Stokes flow is a slow, viscous flow with negligible inertia, and thus the effects of viscosity dominate the flow behavior.

2. What does time reversibility mean in the context of Stokes flow?

Time reversibility means that the equations governing the motion of a fluid in Stokes flow are symmetric under time reversal. This means that if the flow is reversed in time, the equations will still hold true and the fluid will behave in the same manner. This is an important concept in understanding the behavior of fluids, as it allows for the prediction and control of fluid motion.

3. How does the time reversibility of Stokes flow affect its behavior?

The time reversibility of Stokes flow has a significant impact on its behavior. Since the equations governing the flow are symmetric under time reversal, the flow behavior will be the same whether it is moving forward or backward in time. This allows for easier prediction and control of the flow, as the behavior is consistent and predictable.

4. Is Stokes flow the only type of fluid flow that is time reversible?

No, Stokes flow is not the only type of fluid flow that is time reversible. Other types of laminar flow, such as potential flow and Couette flow, also exhibit time reversibility due to their slow, viscous nature. However, turbulent flows are not time reversible as they are highly dependent on initial conditions and exhibit chaotic behavior.

5. Can time irreversibility occur in Stokes flow?

No, time irreversibility does not occur in Stokes flow. As mentioned earlier, the equations governing Stokes flow are symmetric under time reversal, meaning that the flow will behave in the same manner whether it is moving forward or backward in time. However, external factors such as changes in temperature or pressure can cause the flow to deviate from its predicted behavior, but this does not constitute time irreversibility.