What is Fluid dynamics: Definition and 631 Discussions

In physics and engineering, fluid dynamics is a subdiscipline of fluid mechanics that describes the flow of fluids—liquids and gases. It has several subdisciplines, including aerodynamics (the study of air and other gases in motion) and hydrodynamics (the study of liquids in motion). 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 modelling fission weapon detonation.
Fluid dynamics offers a systematic structure—which underlies these practical disciplines—that embraces empirical and semi-empirical laws derived from flow measurement and used to solve practical problems. The solution to a fluid dynamics problem typically involves the calculation of various properties of the fluid, such as flow velocity, pressure, density, and temperature, as functions of space and time.
Before the twentieth century, hydrodynamics was synonymous with fluid dynamics. This is still reflected in names of some fluid dynamics topics, like magnetohydrodynamics and hydrodynamic stability, both of which can also be applied to gases.

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  1. M

    Calculating Air Pipe Flow System Rates & Velocities

    I'm working in an engineering internship after my first year and we haven't covered fluid dynamics in my program yet. I've been assigned to find flow rates and velocities in several branches of a suction (dust collection) system in our factory. The main branch has a diameter of 30" and is...
  2. SurajBahuguna

    How to determine shape of surface of a fluid?

    I have been told by my teacher that the surface of a fluid is always perpendicular to the net force acting on it. The reason being a fluid can not withstand tangential stress and if a shear stress is applied to it, it will slip until the surface becomes perendicular to the net force. So my...
  3. S

    Contradictions in Irrotational Vortex?

    So I was reading about Vortices in Wikipedia, when I stumbled upon the explanation about Irrotational Vortices. It states there that in Irrotational vortices, the fluid's flow velocity u, is inversely proportional to the distance r, from the vortex's axis. Then, at the end of the...
  4. ManicPIxie

    Bernoulli, Fluid Dynamics, and ships

    Homework Statement The Plimsoll line is a line marked on the side all ships that effectively indicates the safe maximum load the ship can carry in that type of water at that temperature.You have been asked to stand on the dock and collect the tickets of the passengers boarding a cruise ship...
  5. C

    Fluid dynamics, mass flow rate

    I've Attached the question and my answer to question 1 to task 3 and guidance if I've done it right? Or any guidance?
  6. M

    (Fluids) Difference in stress or pressure between setups?

    Hello, I'm a PhD student in medical biology and am doing experiments with bloodvessels. I've modified an existing technique and getting unexpected results (ofcourse..). I think it is due to a pressure difference but my knowledge of physics is inadequate to be sure. Ill give a short explanation...
  7. Nabil

    101 in air flow dynamics please?

    Hi everyone, I've got a newbie question which is probably more complex than I imagine so please bare with me. As a small DIY project I've trying to build a small exhaust filter system (A) for another device that produces undesirable fumes (B). I'm trying to work out if an axial fan (generates...
  8. D

    Pressure losses if going from a 1/2" pipe to 3/4" pipe?

    I am thinking of burying a 3/4" water line which is tied into my outdoor 1/2" house spigot line. This buried line would run about 100' to where I can better use it for washing a car or irrigating a flowerbed. My question is: by taking the new addition of water line from a 1/2" feed water line...
  9. I

    Static Pressure in relation to CFM

    Hey all, I’ve scoured the internet in search of an answer to no avail, so it’s time to ask the experts!My background is more Chemistry and Biology, not Physics, or specifically fluid dynamics, so bear with me! Also, this is a little long, so I will do my best to make it easy to follow.The...
  10. S

    Effect Pressure In Main tube due to outlets

    I had to detect a Leakage in my pipe ,and i am really confused whether the Darcy Weisbach or Hagen-poiseuille equation will be satisfied by the current criteria ,as described below: I have a main tube with ends A and B and various outlets,suppose n outlets are present between A and B , I have...
  11. Feodalherren

    Computational fluid dynamics: steady 2D flow

    1. Homework Statement Homework Equations CFD The Attempt at a Solution I'm a bit confused by this question. So at first what I do for the problem on the left, I find the changes in the velocities in X and and Y on all four sides. I notice that the values on the diagram to the left are...
  12. P

    Can liquids be treated as rigid bodies for moment of inertia

    Consider a partially filled bottle of water. When it's tipped over and rotating about its pivot point where its edge touches the ground, it has an angular acceleration. Assuming the liquid is not viscous at all, so flows perfectly, at a given instant can it be considered to have a moment of...
  13. Feodalherren

    Fluid Dynamics: Conservation of momentum equation

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Conservation of linear momentum for fluids The Attempt at a Solution This seemingly simple problem has me confused. First of all, I want to set up the sum of the foces as: -Min + Mout -Fx = 0 So first of all, not only does my Fx term have the wrong...
  14. Wyn

    Other Intr. Fluid Mech. for Physicists and Mathematicians by Pert

    Any thoughts on this book? I'm interested in a fluid mech book for physicists, this one looks good but I can't find any reviews on it. You can suggest other books as well, as long as they have available new editions.
  15. A

    Fluid dynamics question (Poiseuille)

    Hi, I'm attempting to do a question involving blood flowing through a blood vessel and I'm incredibly stuck and would appreciate some help. The question is as follows: 'A simplified model of blood flow through the human body makes the approximation that the flow I is proportional to the pressure...
  16. T

    Fluid dynamics - find velocity of a particle in a vector fie

    Homework Statement Determine the speed of a fluid particle at the origin and at a point (1,-2,0) for each of the following velocity fields when t = 2s. All distances are in meters and t is in seconds. V = (x+2)i + xtj - zk m/s Homework Equations V x dr = 0 dV/dt = u(dV/dx) + v(dV/dy) +...
  17. E

    Comparison between CFD results and experimental data

    Hi everybody, my question is not properly about CFD but mainly about Fluid Dynamics itself. I have performed a RANS simulation of a round jet of methane and air and now I'd like to compare those results to some experiments. Unfortunately there aren't papers about experimental data for...
  18. K

    Determine the launching speed of the object

    So this is probably a very basic question. I'm studying EE so this is kind of out of my field as i have never taken this but I'm working on a project and it involves a pressurized container releasing air into a tube and launching something out the nozzle. The problem I'm having is that I'm not...
  19. arthurchen

    Laminar flow exits an inclined tube

    I am working on a problem in which viscous flow comes out from an inclined tube, forming some kind of a fountain. In the tube the fluid is Newtonian and the flow can be treated as Poiseuille flow. I want to study the movement of the fluid after it leaves the tube. Can someone point me about the...
  20. N

    Roman Inverted Siphons and Fluid Dynamics

    Homework Statement "Inverted siphons were used by the Romans to cross some valleys. If the height difference between the top of the valley and the bottom is 10 meters, the pressure in the pipe at the bottom of the valley will be ____. Homework Equations Bernoulli's Equation P1+(pv^2)/2 + pgh1...
  21. H

    Modeling: Light irradiance and spatio-temporal decay

    Hello everyone! 1. Homework Statement I want to model the irradiance on a fluid element while it is flowing, from a fixed(above or below) light source that has an irradiance that shows first order decay with time and from x-naught to x-infinity . here are the assumptions: -Laminar flow at...
  22. U

    Navier Stokes Equation - Flow of waves

    Homework Statement [/B] (a) Show that for an incompressible flow the velocity potential satisfies ##\nabla^2 \phi = 0##. Show further the relation for the potential to be ## \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t} + \frac{\nabla \phi \dot \nabla \phi}{2} + \frac{p}{\rho} + gz = const.## (b)Write out...
  23. A

    Estimate pipe diameter based on flow rate

    I'm designing a testing unit where I need to estimate the smallest diameter of a short complex pipe (around 1 meter, three bends and some diameter viariations). Since the pipe is being cooled down in a water bath after production, my idea is to force water with a known pressure in one end of the...
  24. A

    Fluid dynamics: Reynolds Number, Drag Constant

    I completed 4a successfully, and with 4b, i have 2 queries: a)why can't I let Reynolds # equal to 2.19 x 10^5 (from part a) then simply sub v=4 instead of 5m/s and rearrange for viscosity? I tried it this way first and got a very wrong answer. Why do we, essentially, need to work backwards to...
  25. A

    Fluid dynamics: head losses and pressure

    see I worked through 3a) and I was comparing answers, I saw that they omitted v2 (5m/s) their explanation was because it was "defined in the question" I'm not sure what that means 3)b I tried understanding what's going on but I am clueless unfortunately, how exactly did they get 12.1m ? Where is...
  26. M

    Fluid Dynamics - Momentum Equation for Area Change

    Hello :) My question concerns a control volume with a changing area. The momentum equation: p1A1-p2A2 = ṁ(V2-V1) is applied to the control volume. The image shows the equation found when applying the above momentum equation to the control volume: The bit I'm having difficulty with is the part...
  27. AdityaDev

    Bernoulli's equation and velocity

    What happens when you have more than one hole in a vessel containing liquid? Can you help me finding the velocities at different holes if they are at some height from level of liquid at a particular instant? I know what happens when you put a small hole in a tank containing liquid at a height h...
  28. AdityaDev

    Understanding Buoyant Force: Exploring FBD and Equations in Accelerating Vessels

    If I have an object of mass m tied to the lower surface of a vessel having a liquid and the vessel accelerates upwards... From FBD of object, Buoyant force acts upwards, mg down, pseudo force downwards (frame of reference is vessel) T down. Here's the doubt. Why is F(buoyant force) = Vp(g+a)...
  29. AdityaDev

    Understanding Surface Tension and the Role of Force in U-Shape Wire Frames

    If I have a U-shape wire frame and it contains a straight sliding wire and I dip this in soap, a film forms between the sliding wire and the boundary of U shape frame. Why is the force due to surface tension F = 2Tl where l is length of sliding wire? They say there are 2 layers in contact...
  30. A

    Does anyone know this equation? (fluid dynamics, Stokes law)

    I was doing some research into my coursework (don't worry, this isn't a real 'help!' thread) on Stokes law, and I found this equation on this forum (posted in 2010), regarding the effect of the walls of a pipe on the calculated value for viscosity when a sphere is dropped through that pipe...
  31. S

    De Broglie-Bohm pilot wave theory

    Are there any good books related to the not much popular De Broglie-Bohm pilot wave theory? There have been recent studies on dynamics of the walking droplets relation with pilot-wave dynamics to describe the motion of quantum particles.
  32. Strangelet

    Theoretical Physics or Earth Physics?

    Good Evening to everyone! I'm currently a student of theoretical physics. I have a Bachelor Degree in Physics and I'm from Italy. When you finish your B.D. you can choose to go on with your studies in order to get a Master Degree (other 2 years of study) and here you can choose your curricula...
  33. H

    Can applied physicists be CFD analysts

    I am about to graduate with an aerospace engineering degree. I am planning to go into grad school for Applied physics(probably plasma physics), which I find very interesting. But the main reason I joined the aerospace degree was because I was interested in CFD. But since I could't land any...
  34. T

    Fluid Dynamics - Rate of Change of Momentum question

    Homework Statement A vertical jet of water of 3cm in diameter impinges upon a horizontal flat plate with a velocity of 4m/s, and all of the water spreads out horizontally. Find the force exerted on the plate. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I am not 100% sure how to tackle this...
  35. K

    Approximating Windshield Shape of a Car: Velocity at Points A & B

    Homework Statement [/B] The shape of a car windshield is approximated in the figure below; its length is 2.0 ft and height is 1.5 ft. Obtain an equation of the windshield shape r as a function of θ, r(θ), in the polar coordinate system shown in the picture. When the car moves at 55 mph...
  36. P

    Schools Computational Fluid Dynamics in Physics Graduate School

    I want to go to physics grad school, but I also want to be ready to go to into CFD for industry if academia doesn't pan out - what area of physics would prepare me best for that?
  37. S

    Wind Speed & Heat: Is There a Constant?

    I'm currently working on a project about wind speeds, and have come across a roadblock due to my limited knowledge... So I really hope you guys can help me out. When you light a campfire or candle, the heat from the flames cause the air around it to rise, which leaves a "vacuum" for colder...
  38. G

    Jetski propulsion analysis (fluid dynamics)

    Homework Statement [/B] http://imgur.com/TQf2TNP http://imgur.com/TQf2TNP Diagram for the porblem For this problem, you may assume the following: • The mass flow rate of water through the jet pump is always the same. • The combined mass of the rider and jetski is 450kg • The time dependent...
  39. L

    Fluid dynamics problem -- Tanks Connected by Capillary

    Homework Statement Two tanks are connected via a capillary pipe, with one tank over the other. The speed in which the liquid flows from the upper tank to the lower tank is 3472 cm/min. The height of the liquid inside the upper tank is 30cm from the bottom of the tank. The capillary pipe sticks...
  40. F

    Calculating Minor Head Losses in a Fluid System

    I have a question where I have to find minor head losses for a system using both the equivalent length method and number of velocity heads method . It will not let me attatch the drawing here but , a liquid is to be pumped from an underground vessel (which is vented) to a pressurissed...
  41. C

    Fluid dynamics - find distribution of a conserved variable

    I accidentally posted this to the "Calculus & Beyond" forum when I meant to post it to the physics forum. If someone can tell me how to move this post, I will get rid of it here! Homework Statement Consider a property, for example temperature θ, that is conserved during advection (i.e. Dθ/Dt =...
  42. F

    Calculating Minor Head Losses for Pumped Liquid System | Fluid Dynamics Question

    I have a question where I have to find minor head losses for a system using both the equivalent length method and number of velocity heads method . It will not let me attatch the drawing here but , a liquid is to be pumped from an underground vessel (which is vented) to a pressurissed...
  43. G

    Optics and fluid dynamics simulation software

    I am doing "Schlieren imaging" visualization of a gas flow from the nozzle. could anyone please recommend a software to simulate a gas flow from the nozzle. in addition please recommend a software to simulate optics, like the propagation of a light beam through the optics and image...
  44. F

    Fluid Dynamics Question - Pressure Difference in Horizontal Pipe

    Homework Statement The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) carries around 100,000m3 of oil per day from the Northern Alaskan oil fields to the nearest ice-free port of Valdez, around 1300km away. The pipe has an outer diameter of 1.22m and a wall thickness of 12mm. Eleven pumping stations...
  45. Z

    Need help for a CFD(computational fluid dynamics) software

    My friend is trying to reproduce a research paper calculated using the CFD(computational fluid dynamics) software package star-CD sold by CD-adapco, but so far he failed, what can he do? Here is the paper he is trying to reproduce: Endothelial Cell Layer Subjected to Impinging Flow Mimicking...
  46. crador

    Fluid Dynamics pipeline with a venturi injector

    Hey guys, I've been wracking my brain for a while, and thus I have landed here yet again. My problem is the following: Say you have a pipeline with a venturi injector, and intermittently a large tank of water with a portion of air on top -- I.e. a closed circuit communicating between the...
  47. mattyboson12

    Understanding Bernoulli's Equation for Fluid Dynamics with Electric Pumps

    Hi, am having a few problems applying bernoulli's equation when an electric pump is involved. I have attached a picture of the question. I understand how to apply bernoullis for venturi and pitot tubes but when it involves work being done on the system eg. a water pump, fan exhaust I don't know...
  48. K

    Analogy between fluid dynamics and electromagnetism

    I've recently heard of an analogy between fluid dynamics and electromagnetism in which the velocity flow field is identified with the magnetic vector potential, (and therefore the vorticity is identified with the magnetic field), and the vector \omega \times v is identified with the electric...
  49. B

    Fluid dynamics in horizontal pipe

    There's a figure that comes with the question but I'm having trouble attaching it so I will describe it the best I can. There is a large cylinder labeled the reservoir. A horizontal pipe is connected near the base of the reservoir and it is open at the other end so fluid flows out (point B)...
  50. N

    Solving Fluid Dynamics Pressure at Different Speeds

    Homework Statement If the pressure reading of your Pitot tube is 17.0 mm Hg at a speed of 150 km/h, what will it be at 700 km/h at the same altitude? Homework Equations The only eq I could think if is p = p2+ 1/2 density (v2^2 - v1^2) But I don't know the density The Attempt at...
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