Numerical solution of laminar boundary layer flow about a rotating sphere in an axial stream.

A finite difference scheme is developed for solving the boundary layer equations governing the laminar flow about a rotating sphere which is subjected to a uniform stream in the direction of the axis of rotation. Numerical results are presented for the meridional and azimuthal velocities and for the wall shear stress components. Also, the angle at which the meridional velocity gradient normal to the wall vanishes is given at values of the parameter Ta/Re SUP 2 ranged from zero (the stationary sphere case) to 10000. As compared with the momentum integral technique of Schlichting, the present scheme succeeded in obtaining solutions for very considerably larger values of the parameter Ta/Re SUP 2. (A)