Prandtl–Batchelor theorem (original) (raw)

In fluid dynamics, Prandtl–Batchelor theorem states that if in a two-dimensional laminar flow at high Reynolds number closed streamlines occur, then the vorticity in the closed streamline region must be a constant. A similar statement holds true for axisymmetric flows. The theorem is named after Ludwig Prandtl and George Batchelor. Prandtl in his celebrated 1904 paper stated this theorem in arguments, George Batchelor unaware of this work proved the theorem in 1956. The problem was also studied in the same year by Richard Feynman and Paco Lagerstrom and by W.W. Wood in 1957.