Unsteady momentum and energy boundary layers in laminar flat plate flow (Q1058394)

An approximate analytical solution for the unsteady velocity and temperature fields in laminar flat plate flow is presented. The fluid and the plate are initially at rest and isothermal. The plate is impulsively set into motion at constant velocity, the wall temperature is kept constant at a value different from the initial one. The boundary layer equations have been solved by extending a method previously developed by \textit{L. M. de Socio} and the second author [J. Appl. Mech. 46, 269-274 (1979; Zbl 0404.76031)] based on expressing the unknown velocity and temperature profiles by the Taylor formula in terms of a suitable variable and on using differential and integral relations obtained from the balance equations. The solution, obtained in closed form for the first order of approximation, shows a good agreement with the numerical data available in the literature. The convergence of the method has been checked in some particular cases, by considering higher orders of approximation in the Taylor formula: the third approximation gives results practically coincident with exact ones.