Fluid Mechanics

The fluid commonly refers to liquids in the sphere of chemical engineering the word means any gas or liquid that conforms to the shape of its container. Fluid mechanics is the study of gases and liquids at rest and in motion. And thus fluid mechanics can be majorly classified into fluid kinematics, fluid motion and fluid statics. In addition to these the study of behavior and stationary fluids, and fluid dynamics are some of the subfields of the sphere. The application of fluid mechanics comprises lots of machine large and different to one another and ranging from water –wheel to the airplane.

Comparison and contrast between fluids and solids

Meanwhile the study of fluids offers an understanding of a number of everyday phenomena. Foe the better fathom, it is best to scratch by contrasting their behavior with that of solids. And solid has a definite volume and a definite form but these physical characteristics are not so clearly defined for fluid mechanics. In spite of liquids possessing a definite volume, have no definite form and as one of the defining characteristics of fluids. However, for gases they do not have definite form or even do not possess volume.

There are several factors which differentiate fluids from solids. And they are the response to compression or the application of pressure to reduce the size or volume of an object. Commonly solid is highly non-compressible which means that it resists compression, and if compressed with a sufficient force, its mechanical properties alter significantly.

Molecular mechanism and behavior

Fluid mechanics differs with regard to compressibility, depending on whether the fluid in question is a liquid or a gas. Gases have the tendency to be highly compressible and like propane fuel can be placed under high pressure. While liquids tend to be non-compressible and liquid can be compressed unlike the gas yet the response to compression is rather different. Hence fluid can be described as anything that flows and the behavior can be explained in the interaction of molecules in fluids.

For instance, if the surface of solid is affected, it will resist, and if the force of the disturbance is sufficiently sturdy, it will deform like a steel plate bending under the pressure. This deformation or unshaped is permanent if the force is powerful enough. In contrary if the surface of a liquid is affected it tends to flow. And at the molecular levels, particles of solids tend to be definite in their arrangement and close to one another.

Questions:

• What is fluid mechanics?
• State the relevant field where fluid mechanics is useful.