Chapter: 4.0

Fluids

The study of fluids has a long history. Archimedes, for example, was already engaged in the study of floating bodies in the time before Christ. Much later, Pascal focused on how the pressure changes in closed containers, while Bernoulli studied the flow of fluids.

Chapter: 4.0

Fluids

The study of fluids has a long history. Archimedes, for example, was already engaged in the study of floating bodies in the time before Christ. Much later, Pascal focused on how the pressure changes in closed containers, while Bernoulli studied the flow of fluids.

Fluid mechanics is the study of fluids.

In this chapter you will learn:

  1. some properties of fluids,
  2. where you can observe the properties of fluids in your surroundings,
  3. how you can check the properties of a fluid by experiment.


Fluids are substances that have the common property: flow. They are divided into liquids and gases. We call this common property fluidity. A characteristic of liquids is that they form droplets. Fluids are stored in containers in which the liquids take the shape of containers. Gases are substances that fill the space they are in. Gases are usually compressed into a container.

Examples of fluids

Look around you, which fluids do you notice?

Examples of photos for liquids:

Ink
Milk
Oil
Water

Examples of photos for gases:

  • butane, propane, carbon dioxide
Butane
Carbon Dioxide
Propane

Test yourself

Here are some examples of photographs of substances that you need to sort according to their aggregate states: liquids on the left and gases on the right.

Liquids:

-ink, water, oil, milk.

Gases:

– butane, propane, carbon dioxide.

Next chapter...

4.1

4.1 Viscosity

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In the following four experiments we will learn about some characteristics of liquids: viscosity, hydrostatic pressure and gas flow as well as buoyancy.

The European Commission’s support for the production of this document does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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