Fluid dynamics
Fluid Dynamics
Fluid dynamics (pronounced: /ˈfluːɪd daɪˈnæmɪks/) is a sub-discipline of Fluid Mechanics that deals with fluid flow—the natural science of fluids (liquids and gases) in motion. It has several sub-disciplines itself, including Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics.
Etymology
The term "Fluid Dynamics" is derived from the Latin words 'fluidus' meaning 'flowing' and 'dynamis' meaning 'power'.
Definition
Fluid dynamics is the study of the movement and flow of fluids, including their interactions as two fluids come into contact with each other. This discipline is a vital part of understanding weather patterns, ocean currents, and the flow of blood in the body.
Principles
The foundational principles of fluid dynamics include conservation laws such as the conservation of mass, conservation of energy, and conservation of momentum. These principles are governed by the Navier-Stokes equations, which describe how the velocity, pressure, temperature, and density of a moving fluid are related.
Applications
Fluid dynamics has a wide range of applications, including calculating forces and moments on aircraft, determining the mass flow rate of petroleum through pipelines, predicting weather patterns, understanding nebulae in interstellar space and reportedly modeling fission in nuclear reactors.
Related Terms
- Fluid statics: The study of fluids at rest.
- Fluid kinematics: The study of fluids in motion.
- Turbulence: A fluid regime characterized by chaotic, stochastic property changes.
- Laminar flow: A type of flow in which the fluid particles move along parallel paths.
- Viscosity: A measure of a fluid's resistance to shear or flow.
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