Fluid mechanics
Undergraduate · Physics
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Statics and kinematics
- Pressure, buoyancy, and manometry
- Hydrostatic forces on submerged surfaces
- Streamlines, pathlines, and material derivative
- Conservation of mass and continuity equation
- Euler equations for inviscid flow
Viscous flow
- Navier–Stokes equations (Cartesian form)
- Poiseuille flow and Couette flow
- Reynolds number and flow regimes
- Boundary layers and separation
- Drag, lift, and Bernoulli applications
Advanced topics
- Vorticity and circulation; Kelvin's theorem
- Compressible flow and Mach number (intro)
- Turbulence phenomenology
- Surface waves and shallow-water equations
- Dimensional analysis and similitude
STEM / applied
Aerodynamics and hydraulics
- Airfoil theory and stall behavior
- Pipe networks and pump curves
- Open-channel flow and weirs
- Wind tunnel testing and scaling
- CFD workflow overview for engineers
Geophysical and environmental
- Atmospheric pressure systems
- Ocean circulation and Ekman layers
- Groundwater flow in porous media
- Pollutant dispersion models
- Blood flow in arteries (biofluids)
Experiments and instrumentation
- Venturi meters and flow visualization
- Hot-wire anemometry basics
- Particle image velocimetry overview
- Uncertainty in discharge measurements
- Lab reports on drag coefficient tests
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Statics and kinematics
Pressure, buoyancy, and manometry
Coming soon - Viscous flow
Navier–Stokes equations (Cartesian form)
Coming soon - Advanced topics
Vorticity and circulation; Kelvin's theorem
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common upper-division physics syllabi at US colleges and universities. Prerequisites, lab pairing, and mathematical depth vary by department.