The transport in vortical and stagnation point flow fields is analyzed for particles across the entire range of density ratios, based on the Maxey–Riley equation [Phys. Fluids26, 883 (1983)] without history effects. For these elementary flow fields, the governing equations simplify substantially, so that analytical progress can be made towards quantifying ejection/entrapment trends and accumulation behavior. For a solid body vortex, the analysis shows that optimal ejection or entrapment occurs for all density ratios, as the difference between inward and outward forces reaches a maximum for intermediate values of the Stokes number. The optimal Stokes number value is provided as a function of the density ratio. Gravity is shown to shift accumulation regions, without affecting the entrapment or ejection rates. For a point vortex flow, the existence of up to three different regimes is demonstrated, which are characterized by different force balances and ejection rates. For this flow, optimal accumulation is demonstrated for intermediate Stokes numbers. The stagnation point flow gives rise to optimal accumulation for heavy particles, whereas light particles do not exhibit optimal behavior. The analysis furthermore indicates that nonvanishing density ratios give rise to a finite Stokes number regime in which the particle motion is oscillatory. Above and below this regime, the motion is overdamped. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.