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streamline
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flow past a stationary solid sphere streamlines for potential flow with circulation past a rotating cylinder
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streamline

fluid mechanics
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History

streamline, In fluid mechanics, the path of imaginary particles suspended in the fluid and carried along with it. In steady flow, the fluid is in motion but the streamlines are fixed. Where streamlines crowd together, the fluid speed is relatively high; where they open out, the fluid is relatively still. See also laminar flow, turbulent flow.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Robert Curley.