What is the pressure in a microscopic scale?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of the Bernoulli equation in fluid mechanics, specifically addressing pressure at a microscopic scale. It establishes that pressure, defined by the equation P + (1/2)*ρ*v^2 + ρ*g*h = constant, does not hold significance at the molecular level. The conversation highlights that fluid mechanics operates on the assumption of fluid particles being small enough for analysis, without considering molecular interactions. It concludes that pressure within a fluid due to viscosity does not apply at a molecular scale, as fluid mechanics abstracts away from molecular behavior.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Bernoulli equation in fluid mechanics
  • Knowledge of fluid density (ρ) and gravitational acceleration (g)
  • Familiarity with the concept of viscosity in fluids
  • Basic principles of fluid particle dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of viscosity on fluid flow dynamics
  • Explore the limitations of the Bernoulli equation in non-ideal fluids
  • Study molecular dynamics simulations in fluid mechanics
  • Investigate the relationship between pressure and molecular interactions in fluids
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for fluid mechanics students, researchers in material science, and engineers focusing on fluid dynamics and viscosity effects in various applications.

omar.abosamra
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i have took a basic course in fluid mechanics:
Bernoulli equation states that:
P + (1/2)*ρ*v^2 + ρ*g*h = constant
where P is the pressure , ρ is the density , g is the garvitational acceleration and h is the distance from the center of the Earth , and that constant is our reference.

that means if their was a tube carrying a stream of fluid with velocity V , the pressure on the wall of the tube would be:
(1/2)*ρ*v^2 + ρ*g*h + constant

what does that mean in a microscopic scale ? what happen with the interaction of the molecules of the wall and the fluid ?

and can their exist pressure inside the fluid due to the viscosity of the fluid ? if we assume that every layer moves with a speed different that the next layer due to viscosity? and if so , how would the pressure affect the stream ?
 
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The 'fluid particles' ( also called fluid elements) considered in fluid mechanics are not the molecules of the fluid.

In fact fluid mechanics does not consider molecules at all. The particles just have to be small enough for the analysis concerned. The fluid is taken as continuously divisible down to whatever scale is required.

Pressure has no meaning at a molecular (or smaller) scale.
 

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