potential flow

Potential flow refers to an idealized way of describing how a fluid moves smoothly around objects without any resistance or turbulence. In this model, the flow is steady, and the fluid is incompressible and irrotational, meaning it has no swirling motion. By analyzing potential flow, engineers can predict how fluids behave around wings, car bodies, or pipes, helping optimize designs. While real fluids have viscosity and turbulence, potential flow provides a simplified framework that captures the main flow features, serving as a useful starting point in fluid dynamics analysis.