In models of fluid outflows from point or line sources, an interface is present, and it is forced outwards as time progresses. Although various types of fluid instabilities are possible at the interface, it is nevertheless of interest to know the development of its overall shape with time. If the fluids on either side are of nearly equal densities, it is possible to derive a single nonlinear partial dierential equation that describes the interfacial shape with time. Although nonlinear, this equation admits a simple transformation that renders it linear, so that closed-form solutions are possible. Two such solutions are illustrated; for a line source in a planar straining flow and a point source in an axisymmetric background flow. Possible applications in astrophysics are discussed.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	interfacial fluid outflow, Bernoulli equation, straining flow, closed-form solution, hydrodynamics
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Fluid mechanics and thermal engineering
Research Field:	Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics)
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the mathematical sciences
UTAS Author:	Forbes, LK (Professor Larry Forbes)
UTAS Author:	Brideson, MA (Dr Michael Brideson)
ID Code:	94726
Year Published:	2014
Web of Science® Times Cited:	2
Deposited By:	Mathematics and Physics
Deposited On:	2014-09-16
Last Modified:	2017-11-01
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