Radiation Effects on Unsteady Free Convection Flow Past a Vertical Plate with Newtonian Heating

Abstract

unsteady free convection flow with thermal radiation past a vertical plate with Newtonian heating has been studied. The governing equations have been solved numerically by the implicit finite difference method of Crank- Nicolson's type. The variations of the fluid velocity and temperature are presented graphically. It is found that the fluid velocity decreases near the plate and it increases away from the plate with an increase in either Prandtl number or radiation parameter. It is also found that the fluid velocity increases with an increase in either Grashof number or time. An increase in either Prandtl number or radiation parameter leads to fall in the fluid temperature. Further, it is seen that the shear stress at the plate decreases with an increase in either radiation parameter or Prandtl number. The rate of heat transfer decreases with an increase in Prandtl number for fixed values of radiation parameter and time while it increases with an increase in either radiation parameter or time. Keywordsconvection, Radiative heat transfer, Prandtl number, Grashof number and Newtonian heating.