On the use of the homotopy analysis method for solving the problem of the flow and heat transfer in a liquid film over an unsteady stretching sheet

In this paper, the effects of viscous dissipation, nonuniform heat source/sink, magnetic field, and thermal radiation on the heat transfer characteristics of a thin liquid film flow over an unsteady stretching sheet are analyzed by the homotopy analysis method. The effects of various physical parameters on the heat transfer characteristics are found. The study shows that the thermal radiation parameter has a significant effect on the surface temperature. It is also found that nonuniform heat sinks are better suited for cooling purposes. Furthermore, the limiting cases are obtained and are found to be in good agreement with numerical results previously published by other authors.