potential flow

Potential flow, also known as irrotational flow, is a simplified model in fluid mechanics where the fluid's vorticity is zero everywhere. This means the fluid has no internal rotation. In such cases, the fluid's velocity can be described by a scalar potential, denoted as (\phi). This potential satisfies Laplace's equation, a fundamental differential equation in physics.1

This model is useful because it simplifies the complex Navier-Stokes equations, allowing for easier analysis of fluid behavior, especially in scenarios without significant viscosity or when dealing with incompressible fluids. The concept of velocity potential is central to this model, where its negative gradient equals the fluid velocity. While a simplification, potential flow theory has been instrumental in understanding various fluid dynamics phenomena.12