In fluid dynamics, the Burgers vortex is an exact solution to the Navier–Stokes equations governing viscous flow. The Burgers vortex describes a stationary, self-similar flow. An inward, radial flow, tends to concentrate vorticity in a narrow column around the symmetry axis. On the same time, viscous diffusion tends to spread the vorticity. The stationary Burgers vortex arises when the two effects balance.
The Burgers vortex, apart from serving as an illustration of the vortex stretching mechanism, may describe such flows as tornados, where the vorticity is provided by continuous convection-driven vortex stretching.
Flow field
The flow for the Burgers vortex is described in cylindrical
where
where
where