Definition of fluid: - A fluid is defined as “ A substance, which is capable of flowing and undergoing continuous deformation whenever subjected to the shear stress”.
A fluid may be
an ideal fluid or areal fluid.
Types of fluids:
(a)Fluid statics: Fluid statics is the branch of fluid mechanics which deals with the study of behavior of fluids at rest.
(b)Fluid kinematics: The branch of fluid mechanics which deals with the study and behavior of the fluids in motion without considering the pressure forces is termed as fluid kinematics.
(c)Fluid dynamics: It is the branch of fluid mechanics which deals with the study and behavior of the fluids in motion with consideration of pressure forces, causing motion.
Applications of Fluid Mechanics:
§ Fluid mechanics is useful in the design
of gates, which are used to control the flood water in case of dam.
§ Fluid mechanics is useful in design of
spillways, irrigation channels and flow through pipelines, etc.
§ Fluid mechanics is useful in the design
of hydraulic machines such as centrifugal pumps, reciprocating pumps and turbines,
etc.
§ Design of gates to control flood water:
Automatic gates are provided in dam body. As water level in the dam rises to the
design level, these gates operate automatically and the excess flood water flows
downstream. Design of gates makes use of laws of fluid mechanics.
