Fluid Mechanics Basics Flashcards

Grade 11 · Science · Flashcards

Essential fluid mechanics vocabulary covering pressure, buoyancy, fluid dynamics, and Bernoulli's principle.

Flashcards

Pressure (P): P = F/A; force exerted per unit area; SI unit is the Pascal (1 Pa = 1 N/m²).
Hydrostatic Pressure: P = P0 + ρgh; pressure at depth h in a fluid of density ρ; increases linearly with depth.
Pascal's Principle: Pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to all parts of the fluid and container.
Archimedes' Principle: Buoyant force = weight of displaced fluid: F_b = ρ_fluid · V_displaced · g.
Continuity Equation: A1v1 = A2v2; volume flow rate Q = Av is constant for incompressible fluid flow.
Bernoulli's Equation: P + ½ρv² + ρgh = constant along a streamline; conservation of energy for ideal fluid flow.
Venturi Effect: Fluid speeds up and pressure drops when passing through a constriction; application of Bernoulli's principle.
Viscosity (η): Measure of a fluid's resistance to flow (internal friction); units of Pa·s (Pascal-seconds).
Laminar Flow: Smooth, orderly fluid flow in parallel layers with no mixing between layers; occurs at low Reynolds numbers.
Turbulent Flow: Chaotic, irregular fluid flow with eddies and mixing; occurs at high Reynolds numbers (Re > ~4000).
Buoyancy Condition for Floating: Object floats when ρ_object ≤ ρ_fluid; fraction submerged = ρ_object/ρ_fluid.
Torricelli's Theorem: Efflux speed from a hole at depth h: v = √(2gh); fluid exits like a projectile launched horizontally.