Question

How many variables is the flow field dependent on in case of flow over a cone at an angle of attack?

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) 4

The question was posed to me in an online interview.

I would like to ask this question from Cones at Angle of Attack in chapter Three-Dimensional Flow of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

Right choice is (b) 2

The explanation is: For axisymmetric flow (flow over a cone at zero angle of attack), the flow field is only dependent on polar angle whereas when the cone is kept at some angle of attack, the flow field is a function of both polar angle θ and the azimuth angle ϕ.