AbstractThe combined free convection and mass transfer flow in a plume over a vertical needle is studied. This mixed type of flow is produced from a point heat‐mass source at the tip of the needle. A numerical solution of the similarity equations of the problem under consideration is obtained. The velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are shown for different values of the dimensionless parameters entering into the problem under consideration. The flow field is greatly influenced by the dimensionless parameters α (heat‐source strength) and β (mass‐source st