Spinning swimming of Volvox by tangential helical wave

Abstract

The swimming of a sphere by means of tangential helical waves running along its surface is studied on the basis of the Stokes equations. Two types of tangential waves are found. The first of these is associated with a pressure disturbance and leads to a higher rate of net rotation than the second one for the same power. It is suggested that the helical waves are relevant for the rotational swimming of Volvox.