Fluid Mechanics

Fluid mechanics is concerned with moving and stationary fluids.

Given that the vast majority of the mass in the universe exists in a fluid state, the importance of fluid mechanics cannot be overstated.

We build on the concepts of classical mechanics and thermodynamics, and develop the mathematical and numerical framework to understand the behavior of fluids, from molecular to astronomical scales. This is one of the more challenging - but ultimately rewarding - BSc level courses, because the equations are fundamentally nonlinear, and we rely heavily on vector algebra. As a result, upon successful completion of the course, the student will develop the necessary command of mathematical and numerical methods for handling nonlinear partial differential equations, as well as physical intuition about how to deal with moving and deforming parcels of fluids.

Specifically, we begin by discussing the basic properties of fluids and gases, then apply thermodynamics and conservation laws to arrive at the Navier Stokes equations. With their help we explore the behavior of fluids under different conditions, with a special focus on concepts relevant in biology, oceanography and complex systems theory: turbulence, vorticity dynamics, boundary layers, instability and waves.