170 years “1. Stokes’ problem”, contradicting experimental results and mathematical deficits
- The “1. Stokes’ problem (the “suddenly accelerated flat wall”) is the first non-stationary application of the Navier-Stokes Equations to a fluid experiment with extremely high, theoretically infinite, shear rates and corresponding local dissipation. A “Critical Review” states that a Navier-Stokes solution contradicts the “Theorem of Existence and Uniqueness of Partial Differential Equations” (Cauchy, Kowalewskaya) and the physical “Theorem of Minimum Entropy Production/Dissipation“ of the Thermodynamics of Irreversible Processes. The direct mathematical and physical consequence: There does not exist any correct Navier-Stokes solution, in spite of many historical and textbook articles and there is no physical experiment which verifies the flow profiles in the textbooks. The paper describes contradicting observations of a corresponding experiment. The results initiate a statement. The textbook solutions use mathematical methods which are not suitable for a qualified discussion of the above-mentioned consequences. There was a fundamental question. Can the Navier-Stokes’ Equation describe high shear fluid flow in general, e.g. turbulence? With regard to the consequences above they do not.