Abstract
In many applications of physics, boundary conditions have an essential role. The purpose of this paper is to examine from both a historical and philosophical perspective one such boundary condition, namely, the no-slip condition of fluid dynamics. The historical perspective is based on the works of George Stokes and serves as the foundation for the philosophical perspective. It is seen that historically the acceptance of the no-slip condition was problematic. Philosophically, the no-slip condition is interesting since the use of the no-slip condition illustrates nicely the use of scientific models. But more importantly, both the use and justification of the no-slip condition illustrate clearly how theories can holistically approach the world through model construction. Further, since much of the debate over scientific realism occurs in the realm of models, a case is made that an understanding of the role of the no-slip condition has something to offer to this debate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boyd, R. N.: 1983, ‘On the Current Status of the Issue of Scientific Realism’,Erkenntnis 19, 45–90.
Batchelor, G. K.: 1967,An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Cartwright, N.: 1983,How the Laws of Physics Lie, Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Hacking, I.: 1983,Representing and Intervening, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Hesse, M.: 1967, ‘Models and Analogy in Science’, in P.Edward (ed.),The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Vol. 5., Macmillan, New York, pp. 354–359.
Khurana, A.: 1988, ‘Numerical Simulations Reveal Fluid Flows Near Solid Boundaries’,Physics Today 41, No. 5, 17–19.
Kramers, H. A. and Kistemaker, J.: 1943,Physica 10, 699–713.
Lamb, H.: 1879,A Treatise on the Mathematical Theory of the Motion of Fluids, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Lamb, H.: 1895,Hydrodynamics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Landau, L. D. and Lifshitz, E. M.: 1959,Fluid Mechanics, Pergamon, London.
Leinfellner, W.: 1974, ‘A New Epitheoretical Analysis of Social Theories’, in Leinfellner and Koehler (eds.),Developments in the Methodology of Social Sciences, D. Reidel, Dordrecht, pp. 3–43.
McMullin, E.: 1985, ‘Galilean Idealization’,Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science 16, 247–273.
Moulines, C. U.: 1975, ‘A Logical Reconstruction of Simple Equilibrium Thermodynamics’,Erkenntnis 9, 101–130.
Sneed, J. D.: 1971,The Logical Structure of Mathematical Physics, D. Reidel, Dordrecht, (2nd edition, 1979).
Stegmüller, W.: 1976,The Structure and Dynamics of Theories, Springer-Verlag, New York-Heidelberg-Berlin, (German edition, 1973).
Stokes, C. G.: 1880,Mathematical and Physical Papers, Vol. I., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Stokes, C. G.: 1901,Mathematical and Physical Papers, Vol. III., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Whetham, W. C. D.: 1890, ‘On the Alleged Slipping at the Boundary of a Liquid in Motion’,Proceedings of the Royal Society of London XLVIII, 225–230.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Day, M.A. The no-slip condition of fluid dynamics. Erkenntnis 33, 285–296 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00717588
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00717588