Unsteady MHD Mixed Convection Flow of a Micropolar Fluid over a Vertical Wedge

Abstract

An analysis is presented to investigate the unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convection boundary-layer flow of a micropolar fluid over a vertical wedge in the presence of thermal radiation and heat generation or absorption. The free-stream velocity and surface temperature are assumed to be oscillating in magnitude but not in the direction of the oncoming flow velocity. The governing equations have been solved by two distinct methods, namely, the finite difference method for the entire frequency range, and the series solution for low frequency range and the asymptotic series expansion method for the high frequency range. Numerical solutions provide a good agreement with the series solutions. The amplitudes of skin friction and couple stress coefficients are found to be strongly dependent on the Richardson number and the vortex viscosity parameter. The Prandtl number, the conduction-radiation parameter, the surface temperature parameter and the pressure gradient parameter significantly affect the amplitudes of skin friction, couple stress and surface heat transfer rates. However, the amplitudes of skin friction coefficient are considerably affected by the magnetic field parameter, whereas the amplitudes of heat transfer rate are appreciably changed with the heat generation or absorption parameter. In addition, results are presented for the transient skin friction, couple stress and heat transfer rate with the variations of the Richardson number, the vortex viscosity parameter, the pressure gradient parameter and the magnetic field parameter.