Noun
stream function (plural stream functions)
(mathematics) A function used to plot streamlines that represent the trajectories of particles in a steady flow.
While the velocity is the variable of interest, the existence of the stream function or vector potential is necessary by the Helmholtz Theorem. Source: Internet
Taking the curl of the scalar stream function elements gives divergence-free velocity elements. Source: Internet
The real part is the velocity potential, and the imaginary part is the stream function. Source: Internet
The stream function formulation eliminates the pressure but only in two dimensions and at the expense of introducing higher derivatives and elimination of the velocity, which is the primary variable of interest. Source: Internet