It repesent a velocity field where the velocity vectors are all parallel, have the same size and point all to the same direction. Their potential functions are:

one-dimension


\begin{displaymath}\phi = Ux \notag
\end{displaymath}  

where $U$ is the flow speed.

two-dimensions


\begin{displaymath}\phi = Ux+Vy \notag
\end{displaymath}  

where $U$ and $V$ are, respectively, the magnitude of the flow speed in the $x$ and $y$ directions.

three-dimensions.


\begin{displaymath}\phi = Ux+Vy+Wz \notag
\end{displaymath}  

where $U$, $V$ and $W$ are, respectively, the magnitude of the flow speed in the $x, y$ and $z$ directions.



Timothy S Choe
2003-03-15