Paper description
This paper provides an introduction to the mechanics of fluids with an emphasis on the physical and mathematical underpinnings of the subject. At the conclusion of this paper students should be able to access the fluid mechanics literature at a level appropriate for a beginning graduate student.
Prerequisites:
MATH 203
This paper consists of 15 lectures and 6 tutorials. There are 3 assignments.
Assesment:
Final Exam 70%, Assignments 30%
Important information about assessment for PHSI426
Course Co-ordinator:
Associate Professor Inga Smith
After completing this paper students are expected to have achieved the following major learning objectives:
- Know the difference between Lagrangian and Eulerian frames of reference in the description of the movement of fluids;
- Understand the conservation of mass, momentum and energy in fluid flow, leading to the derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations;
- Be able to approximate and manipulate the Navier-Stokes equations into forms suitable for particular situations;
- Understand some fundamental theorems of fluids, e.g. Kelvin’s circulation theorem;
- Understand the implications of space and time for the equations governing boundary layer flow;
- Apply the equations governing basic wave motion in fluids;
- Derive equations for the growth/decay of linear perturbations in a simple flow;
- Be able to outline how small perturbations evolve to fully developed turbulence;
- Understand the arguments introduced in a basic quantification of turbulence.
Topics:
- Flow of ideal fluids & kinematics & conservation laws
- Viscous fluids, dimensionless numbers and similarity
- Waves & instabilities
- Turbulence
- Boundary layer flow
- Convective transport
Formal University Information
The following information is from the University’s corporate web site.
Details
Fluid mechanics is introduced through vector calculus and tensors approaches to the Navier-Stokes equations. These equations are applied to real-world examples (for example from Antarctica), instabilities and turbulence.
| Paper title | Fluids, Instability and Turbulence |
|---|---|
| Paper code | PHSI426 |
| Subject | Physics |
| EFTS | 0.0833 |
| Points | 10 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $704.22 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- BSc(Hons), PGDipSci, MSc
- Eligibility
Non-physics majors should consult the course coordinator before enrolling in this paper.
- Contact
- inga.smith@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
- Course Co-ordinator: Dr Inga Smith
- Textbooks
- Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship,
Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- After completing this paper students are expected to:
- Know the difference between Lagrangian and Eulerian frames of reference in the description of the movement of fluids
- Understand the conservation of mass, momentum and energy in fluid flow, leading to the derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations
- Be able to approximate and manipulate the Navier-Stokes equations into forms suitable for particular situations
- Understand some fundamental theorems of fluids (e.g. Kelvin's circulation theorem)
- Understand the implications of space and time for the equations governing boundary layer flow
- Apply the equations governing basic wave motion in fluids
- Derive equations for the growth/decay of linear perturbations in a simple flow
- Be able to outline how small perturbations evolve to fully developed turbulence
- Understand the arguments introduced in a basic quantification of turbulence
