A mathematical study on the local fluid rotation axis.

As widely recognized, vortex represents flow rotation. Vortex should have a local rotation axis as its direction and angular speed as its strength. Vorticity vector has been considered the rotation axis, and vorticity magnitude the rotational strength for a long time in classical fluid kinematics. However, this concept cannot stand in viscous flow. This study demonstrates by rigorous mathematical proof that the vorticity vector is not the fluid rotation axis, and vorticity is not the rotation strength. On the other hand, the Liutex vector is mathematically proved as the fluid rotation axis, and the Liutex magnitude is twice the fluid angular speed.