💧 Fluid Mechanics – Summary Notes
🌊 I. Basics of Fluids
🔹 Fluid:
● A substance that can flow and take the shape of its container.
● Includes both liquids and gases.
🔹 Properties of Fluids:
Property Definition
Density (ρ) Mass per unit volume → ρ = m/V (kg/m³)
Pressure (P) Force per unit area → P = F/A (Pa or N/m²)
Viscosity (η) Resistance to flow or internal friction
Surface Tension (T) Force acting along the surface of a liquid
Compressibility Ability to decrease in volume under pressure
Buoyancy Upward force exerted by a fluid on an object
⚖️ II. Fluid Statics (Fluids at Rest)
🧪 1. Pressure in Fluids
● Formula:
P=ρghP = \rho g h
Where:
ρ = density, g = gravity, h = depth
🧪 2. Pascal’s Law
● Statement: Pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted equally in all directions.
● Application: Hydraulic press, brakes
🧪 3. Archimedes’ Principle
● Statement: A body immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to
the weight of the displaced fluid.
● Buoyant Force:
FB=ρfluid⋅g⋅VdisplacedF_B = \rho_{fluid} \cdot g \cdot V_{displaced}
🌪️ III. Fluid Dynamics (Fluids in Motion)
🔹 1. Equation of Continuity
● Statement: For an incompressible, steady flow:
A1v1=A2v2A_1v_1 = A_2v_2
(Conservation of mass)
🔹 2. Bernoulli’s Theorem
● Statement: In a streamlined flow, the total mechanical energy (pressure + kinetic +
potential) remains constant.
● Equation:
P+12ρv2+ρgh=constantP + \frac{1}{2} \rho v^2 + \rho g h = \text{constant}
📌 Applications:
● Aircraft wings (lift)
● Venturi meter (measuring fluid speed)
● Atomizers and spray bottles
🔹 3. Reynolds Number (Re)
● Formula:
Re=ρvDη\text{Re} = \frac{\rho v D}{\eta}
● Predicts flow type:
○ Re < 2000 → Laminar Flow
○ Re > 4000 → Turbulent Flow
○ 2000–4000 → Transitional
🧊 IV. Viscosity
🔹 1. Viscous Force (F)
● Formula (Newton’s Law of Viscosity):
F=ηAdvdxF = \eta A \frac{dv}{dx}
🔹 2. Stokes’ Law
● Drag Force on a small sphere moving through a viscous fluid:
F=6πηrvF = 6\pi \eta r v
🔹 3. Terminal Velocity (v )
● For a sphere falling in a viscous medium:
vt=2r2(ρ−σ)g9ηv_t = \frac{2r^2 (\rho - \sigma)g}{9\eta}
where:
○ r = radius of sphere
○ ρ = density of sphere
○ σ = density of fluid
○ η = viscosity
○ g = gravity
🫧 V. Surface Tension & Capillarity
🔹 Surface Tension (T):
● Force per unit length acting on a liquid surface
● Unit: N/m
🔹 Capillary Rise Formula:
● h=2Tcosθρgrh = \frac{2T \cos\theta}{\rho g r}
Capillarity is the rise or fall of a liquid in a thin tube due to surface tension.
🌀 VI. Important Concepts & Definitions
Term Description
Ideal Fluid Incompressible, no viscosity, non-turbulent
Streamline Flow Flow where each particle follows a smooth
path
Turbulent Flow Irregular, chaotic flow pattern
Incompressible Fluid Fluid with constant density
Hydraulic Devices Use Pascal’s Law to multiply force
🔍 VII. Common Identifications
Concept/Device Identify by...
Venturi Meter Narrowed pipe, measures fluid speed using
Bernoulli’s principle
U-tube Manometer Measures pressure using fluid columns
Stokes’ Law Setup Sphere falling in viscous liquid, drag force
observed
Capillary Tube Rise/fall of liquid due to surface tension
Hydraulic Lift Based on Pascal’s law, small force lifts heavy
object
🧠 Tips for Fluid Mechanics:
● Use correct units: Pressure (Pa), Density (kg/m³), Viscosity (Pa·s)
● Remember: P + ½ρv² + ρgh = constant for Bernoulli’s equation
● Identify flow type using Reynolds Number
● Practice drawing flow lines, Venturi tube, and capillary rise diagrams
● Be able to compare forces: pressure, buoyancy, viscous, and drag
