Streamlines, Streaklines, Pathlines, and Timelines

These animated gif images illustrate the differences between streamlines, streaklines, pathlines, and timelines. The flow is steady shear flow in the gap between two flat plates, with the top plate moving at velocity V to the right and the bottom plate stationary.
Streamline

Streakline

Pathline

Timeline

Prepared by Professor John M. Cimbala, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University
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Latest revision, 07 January 2015