Module Identifier PHM1010  
Module Title FLUID DYNAMICS  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr Geraint Thomas  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr James Whiteway  
Pre-Requisite Successful Completion of Year 3 of the MPhys Scheme  
Course delivery Lecture   20 lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   2 seminars / tutorials  
Assessment Presentation   (20 minutes long)   10%  
  Course work   Two Assignments   20%  
  Course work   Essay   20%  
  Exam   3 Hours End of semester examinations   50%  

Module description


Fluid dynamics, the description of the motion of fluids, is an area of science that finds application across a wide range of scientific topics. The present module aims to provide a general introduction to the basic mathematical theory used in fluid dynamics as well as giving a more physical introduction to some common fluid flows of practical interest.


The module will commence with a general introduction to the general properties of fluids followed by a treatment of the basic governing conservation equations. Some examples of two-dimensional inviscid flows will be presented followed by the introduction of a discussion of the influence of viscosity. The effect of viscosity will be then included and the Navier Stokes equations derived. The origin and importance of some common flow instabilities will then be described together with an introduction to fluid turbulence. An introduction to compressible flows will also be given. All of the above will be supported by reference to examples of fluid flows in practice. These will include flows such as flows over aerofoils, magnetohydrodynamnics, atmospheric flows, pipe and jet flows and shock wave formation.

Learning outcomes


After taking this module students should be able to:

Additional learning activities


Students will have some opportunities to observe the use of computational fluid dynamics to simulate some fluid flows.

Outline syllabus


Introduction to basic fluid properties


Review of relevant thermodynamics


Conservation equations for mass, energy and momentum


Two-dimensional potential flow


Viscous flows


Instability and turbulence


Navier Stoked equations


Turbulent flows


Boundary Layers


(Non linear dynamics)


Flow over aerofoils

Reading Lists

Books
T.E. Faber. Fluid Dynamics for Physicists. Cambridge University Press 0521429692