In fluid dynamics, streamlines are considered to be independent of time, while streaklines represent time-dependent vector fields. Imagine a non-stationary flow, i.e. the vector field representing the flow changes at each delta-t. A streamline would be computed/displayed throughout the spatial field, but just at a snapshot in time. A streakline, on the other hand, would begin at some starting position (in space & time) and would vary from a streamline when the next delta-t (and accompanying vector field) was known, then again at the next delta-t, etc.
A streakline, on the other hand, would begin at some starting position (in space and time) and would vary from a streamline when the next delta-t (and accompanying vector field) was known, then again at the next delta-t, etc.
Interactive streakline visualization is quite useful to examine the details of these complex flow fields.
A streakline, on the other hand, would begin at some starting position (in space & time) and would vary from a streamline when the next delta-t (and accompanying vector field) was known, then again at the next delta-t, etc.
An everyday example of a streakline is a thin stream of smoke being released from a chimney.
As a final point to clarify the relationship between streaklines and particle paths - note that the leading particle of the blue streakline is actually moving along the green particle path.
This is because each point on the streakline is a particle released at a different time with the leading particle released at the starting time.
Feeds |
Contact