A rigorous proof of the scallop theorem and a finite mass effect of a microswimmer
Abstract
We reconsider fluid dynamics for a self-propulsive swimmer in Stokes flow. With an exact definition of deformation of a swimmer, a proof is given to Purcell's scallop theorem including the body rotation. The breakdown of the theorem due to a finite Stokes number is discussed by using a perturbation expansion method and it is found that the breakdown generally occurs at the first order of the Stokes number. In addition, employing the Purcell's "scallop" model, we show that the theorem holds up to a higher order if the strokes of the swimmer has some symmetry.
- Publication:
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arXiv e-prints
- Pub Date:
- July 2011
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.1107.5938
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1107.5938
- Bibcode:
- 2011arXiv1107.5938I
- Keywords:
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- Physics - Fluid Dynamics;
- Physics - Biological Physics
- E-Print:
- 14 pages, 3 figures