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phy_freak
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i heard that fluid dynamics and thermo dynamics are the hardest subjects in mechanical engineering and physics, can somebody elaborate on this issue ?
phy_freak said:i heard that fluid dynamics and thermo dynamics are the hardest subjects in mechanical engineering and physics, can somebody elaborate on this issue ?
The mathematics of fluid dynamics (classical field theory) is mostly identical to general relativity- differential geometry and tensor analysis-
Angry Citizen said:Why don't engineers learn either of these two techniques then? Fluid dynamics being as ubiquitous as it is in aerospace/mechanical degrees, I'm very curious what's going on here with engineering education in light of your statement.
Angry Citizen said:Why don't engineers learn either of these two techniques then? Fluid dynamics being as ubiquitous as it is in aerospace/mechanical degrees, I'm very curious what's going on here with engineering education in light of your statement.
Angry Citizen said:Why don't engineers learn either of these two techniques then? Fluid dynamics being as ubiquitous as it is in aerospace/mechanical degrees, I'm very curious what's going on here with engineering education in light of your statement.
nlsherrill said:I spoke with a graduate student(in physics) that did his undergraduate studies in aerospace engineering. He said that they didn't ever do tensors, just a lot of calc 3 and some differential equations as far as math goes. He seemed to indicate that the use of tensors came in, in more advanced studies of aerospace(graduate school).
Angry Citizen said:Why don't engineers learn either of these two techniques then? Fluid dynamics being as ubiquitous as it is in aerospace/mechanical degrees, I'm very curious what's going on here with engineering education in light of your statement.
cjl said:He was right. Differential equations are definitely useful, and you use a ton of calc 3, but tensors don't really show up until grad school, at least in my experience.
(I'm an aerospace masters student focusing on fluid mechanics and propulsion)
Andy Resnick said:I don't have an engineering degree (and I don't have an appointment in an engineering department), so I can't comment about "engineering education". The engineers I have worked with all used finite element analysis for fluid and heat transfer problems.
Angry Citizen said:Why don't engineers learn either of these two techniques then?
phy_freak said:i heard that fluid dynamics and thermo dynamics are the hardest subjects in mechanical engineering and physics, can somebody elaborate on this issue ?
nlsherrill said:I spoke with a graduate student(in physics) that did his undergraduate studies in aerospace engineering. He said that they didn't ever do tensors, just a lot of calc 3 and some differential equations as far as math goes.
cjl said:I personally found fluid mechanics and thermodynamics to be two of the most enjoyable subjects that I've had to this point.
Oh, and at least at my school, tensor analysis is taught to the aerospace engineering graduate students. The undergraduate curriculum only includes one semester of fluid mechanics, which doesn't go into enough detail to require tensors. The graduate students are basically required to learn it though, and my graduate fluids courses have been heavily tensor based.
twofish-quant said:Any time you do multi-dimensional PDE's, you are using tensors. Now it may be that no one mentions that you are using tensors, but you are using tensors.
twofish-quant said:They do use tensors. No one points out to them that they are using tensors, but they are doing it anyway.
Fluid and thermodynamics are branches of physics that deal with the study of fluids (liquids and gases) and their properties, as well as the relationship between heat and other forms of energy.
Fluid and thermodynamics can be challenging because they involve complex mathematical equations, abstract concepts, and require a solid understanding of physics principles. Additionally, the laws and principles of fluid and thermodynamics can be counterintuitive and may not align with our everyday experiences.
Fluid and thermodynamics have many practical applications in various fields such as engineering, meteorology, and chemistry. Some examples include designing efficient aircraft and car engines, predicting weather patterns, and understanding the behavior of chemical reactions.
Yes, anyone can learn fluid and thermodynamics with dedication, practice, and a strong foundation in mathematics and physics. It may be challenging, but with persistence and effort, it is possible to grasp the concepts and principles of fluid and thermodynamics.
There are many resources available for learning fluid and thermodynamics, such as textbooks, online courses, videos, and practice problems. It can also be helpful to seek guidance from a mentor or tutor who has expertise in the subject.