The role of inertia for the rotation of a nearly spherical particle in a general linear flow

TL;DR

This paper investigates how inertia influences the rotation of nearly spherical particles in steady linear flows, using perturbation theory and hydrodynamic torque calculations to understand their angular dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a new analytical approach combining reciprocal theorem and perturbation theory to analyze inertial effects on nearly spherical particle rotation.

Findings

Inertia affects the rotational behavior of nearly spherical particles.

The derived torque expressions quantify inertial contributions.

The method provides insights into particle dynamics in fluid flows.

Abstract

We analyse the angular dynamics of a neutrally buoyant nearly spherical particle immersed in a steady general linear flow. The hydrodynamic torque acting on the particle is obtained by means of a reciprocal theorem, regular perturbation theory exploiting the small eccentricity of the nearly spherical particle, and assuming that inertial effects are small, but finite.