Paper 2, Section I, C

Fluid Dynamics
Part IB, 2016

A steady, two-dimensional unidirectional flow of a fluid with dynamic viscosity μ\mu is set up between two plates at y=0y=0 and y=hy=h. The plate at y=0y=0 is stationary while the plate at y=hy=h moves with constant speed UexU \mathbf{e}_{x}. The fluid is also subject to a constant pressure gradient Gex-G \mathbf{e}_{x}. You may assume that the fluid velocity u\mathbf{u} has the form u=u(y)ex\mathbf{u}=u(y) \mathbf{e}_{x}.

(a) State the equation satisfied by u(y)u(y) and its boundary conditions.

(b) Calculate u(y)u(y).

(c) Show that the value of UU may be chosen to lead to zero viscous shear stress acting on the bottom plate and calculate the resulting flow rate.