Slip flow past an approximate spheroid

Summary Creeping axisymmetric slip flow past a spheroid whose shape deviates slightly from that of a sphere is investigated. An exact solution is obtained to the first order in the small parameter characterizing the deformation. As an application, the case of flow past an oblate spheroid is considered and the drag experienced by it is evaluated. Special well-known cases are deduced and some observations made.Notation A _n, B_n, C_n, D_n, E_n, F_n, b₂, d₂ Constants - a, b radii of spheres - coefficient of sliding fraction - D drag - , _m parameters characterizing the deformation of the sphere - c a(1+) - viscosity coefficient - - dimensionless coordinate - I _n Gegenbauer function - P _n Legendre function - Stream function - U stream velocity at infinity