Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

Engineering 1h
Prof Bill Easson

Definition of a Fluid
A fluid is a substance that flows under the action of shearing
forces. If a fluid is at rest, we know that the forces on it are in
balance.
A gas is a fluid that is easily compressed. It fills any vessel in
which it is contained.
A liquid is a fluid which is hard to compress. A given mass of
liquid will occupy a fixed volume, irrespective of the size of
the container.
A free surface is formed as a boundary between a liquid and a
gas above it.

Density
The density of a fluid is defined as its mass per unit
volume. It is denoted by the Greek symbol, .

kgm-3

= m
V

kg
m3

water= 998 kgm-3

air =1.2kgm-3

If the density is constant (most liquids), the flow is

incompressible.
If the density varies significantly (eg some gas
flows), the flow is compressible.
(Although gases are easy to compress, the flow may be treated as
incompressible if there are no large pressure fluctuations)

Pressure
Pressure is the force per unit area, where the force is
perpendicular to the area.
Nm-2
(Pa)

p=

F
A

N
m2

pa= 105 Nm-2

1psi =6895Pa

This is the Absolute pressure, the pressure compared to

a vacuum.
The pressure measured in your tyres is the gauge pressure,
p-pa.

Pressure
Pressure in a fluid acts equally in all directions
Pressure in a static liquid increases linearly with depth

p= g h

pressure
increase

increase in
depth (m)

The pressure at a given depth in a continuous, static body of

liquid is constant.
p1

p2

p3

p1 = p2 = p3

Measuring pressure (1)

Manometers
p1

p2=pa

x
liquid
density

p 1 = px

(negligible pressure
change in a gas)

px = py

(since they are at

the same height)

pz= p2 = pa

py - pz = gh
p1 - pa = gh

So a manometer measures gauge pressure.

Measuring Pressure (2)

Barometers
A barometer is used to measure
the pressure of the atmosphere.
The simplest type of barometer
consists of a column of fluid.
p2 - p1 = gh
pa = gh
examples
water: h = pa/g =105/(103*9.8) ~10m
mercury: h = pa/g =105/(13.4*103*9.8)
~800mm

vacuum

p1 = 0

h
p2 = pa