Unsteady flow from a source in a rotating fluid (Q1068659)

A source, which is situated on the axis of a rotating fluid, commences to expel fluid with constant rate at the time \(t=0\). We describe how the geostrophic forces lead to the formation of a narrow column along the axis, before the eventual development of the viscous Stewartson column along the axis, and how the final steady state is achieved. An understanding of the role of the nonlinear inertial forces in the neighbourhood of the source is given. The results are also extended by considering the effect of placing the source between two infinite discs situated perpendicular to the axis of rotation.