VectorFunctionSpace parameters

Question

Reading the documentation of VectorFunctionSpace

http://fenicsproject.org/documentation/dolfin/dev/python/programmers-reference/functions/functionspace/VectorFunctionSpace.html

I'm confused about the "degree" parameter.
I've tried to run my simulation on Navier-Stokes-equations using "degree = 2" thereby expecting the arrows to "curve" like a 2nd degree polynomial, however I only observe regular straight arrows.

So what is the actual meaning of the "degree" parameter?
Has it something to do with accuracy?

Answer 1

Hi,

Yes degree is the polynomial degree of the finite element space (1 = linear, 2 = quadratic, etc...).

Visualization is a different issue. I am not sure how visualization actually works in FEniCS, but it is very common practice in many softwares to only visualize linear interpolation of the solution at the vertices of the mesh.