Three Simple Stokeslet Trajectories

Abstract

Exact results for three trajectories of small numbers of particles interacting hydrodynamically through Stokeslets are presented. First, the middle particle in a vertical trio of particles sediments at a constant velocity for all time. Second, a horizontal pair of particles sedimenting toward a rigid wall undergoes a finite and surprisingly constant horizontal displacement in the limit of large initial separations. Third, a pair of particles sedimenting in a quadratic flow, such as that of a fluid pumped in the direction of gravity, oscillates in a periodic orbit and admits a Hamiltonian formulation.