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Title Information

Sheet

May 25, 1999

Smits: Fluid Mechanics–Mechanical Engineering

ISBN:0471-1692-1, xxx Pages, Cloth, 2000

Publication Season: Fall ’99

www.wiley.com/college

A Physical Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
by Alexander J. Smits, Princeton University

Description:
A brief introduction to fluid mechanics that emphasizes the use of basic concepts in solving engineering problems. The book is designed to develop problem-solving skills and physically-based intuition for engineering students of fluid mechanics. This text develops the physical principles of fluid mechanics in stages, moving from simple one-dimensional problems to progressively more complex examples, while maintaining a strong connection to applications drawn from engineering practice as well as nature.

Features:

Clear, rigorous explanations of fundamental principles with emphasis on basic concepts - Provides an introduction to a major engineering topic for students with little previous experience in engineering. This approach draws on concepts already familiar to the student from basic physics, and helps to convey understanding of a subject that is often difficult for students to grasp. The basic physics experience is used to help clarify engineering problems, and practical examples drawn from everyday experience help to motivate students.

Builds understanding by starting with very simple examples to illustrate basic principles and then progressively introducing more complex examples drawn from engineering practice. This approach helps students develop problem solving skills, physical insight, how and when to use approximations and make assumptions, and to understand when these approximations might break down. From an instructor’s point of view the simple concepts will appeal to student more than the more usual "top-down" analysis, where instruction begins with the most general, abstract, principles, and particular problems are treated as special cases, so that the basic principles are often lost. More "outcome-based," in tune with new ABET requirements.

Relevance to real life at each stage, the text links theory and analysis to practical examples drawn from engineering practice and nature, thereby motivating students to learn and understand how fluid mechanics relates to engineering applications and the world around them. Examples are drawn from the usual sources (pipe flows, wings, turbomachines) but also include automobile flow fields, sports ball aerodynamics, and geophysical flows.

Environmental emphasis throughout text. For example, atmospheric phenomena, weather patterns, environmental pollution issues, waves, tsunamis, and wind energy generation, are all considered quantitatively using tools developed in the text.

Historical chapter, and historical references throughout the text - The references enrich the teaching of fluid mechanics and helps to motivate students through enlivened stories drawn from the rich history of fluid mechanics.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Fluid Statics

Introduction to Fluid Motion I

Introduction to Fluid Motion II

Equations of Motion in Integral Form

Differential Equations of Motion

Incompressible, Irrotational Flows

Dimensional Analysis

Viscous Internal Flows

Viscous External Flows

Open Channel Flow

Compressible Flow

Turbomachines

Environmental Fluid Mechanics

Historical Notes

A. Analytical Tools

Conversion Factors

Fluid and Flow Properties

Web Resources

Answers to Selected Problems

Index

Supplements:

ISBN	SUPPLEMENT	DESCRIPTION
0-471-	Solutions Manual	Includes solutions to all end-of-chapter problems using the same format as in the solved examples Sample syllabi
	Fluid Mechanics Online	Web resources connecting in-text material to examples in nature and industry Updates and corrections for text and problems at the end of each chapter Links to educational resources available on the web Gallery of Fluid Flow

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