outwardflowing

Outward-flowing is an adjective used to describe a flow in which the motion of a substance—such as a liquid, gas, heat, or even information—moves away from a designated reference point, boundary, or region. The reference is often the center of a vessel, the interior of a body, or a boundary through which material can exit. The term emphasizes the direction of transport rather than its cause.

In physics and engineering, outward flow is commonly discussed in terms of radial flow, jets, or plumes. For example, a discharging vessel exhibits outward flow as fluid leaves through an opening, while a stellar wind and volcanic plumes are described as outward-flowing streams. In thermodynamics, outward heat flow refers to heat transfer from a hotter region to cooler surroundings.

In mathematical modeling and fluid dynamics, outward flow is represented by velocity components pointing in the outward radial direction. The divergence of the velocity field is positive in regions of outward flow, reflecting net flux leaving a control volume. Boundary conditions may specify outward-flowing flux to simulate venting or exhaust processes.

Related terms include outflow or efflux; the concept contrasts with inward flow. The phrase outward-flowing is most commonly used to characterize patterns of movement in fluids, gases, and energy fields, across natural and engineered systems.