The Uses of Fluid Mechanics (Essay Sample)

The Uses of Fluid Mechanics
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INTRODUCTION TO FLUID MECHANICS
Fluid mechanics is a field engineering science that studies the behavior of fluids under all conditions; when on rest and in motion. Fluid mechanics is part of mechanics that is specifically dedicated to fluids only. According to Bansel (2005), the history of fluid mechanics dates back to the ancient Greeks. The categories of fluid mechanics are kinematics, statics, and dynamics.
Statics deals with incompressible fluids under the condition of no motion (stationary). Kinematics deals with the study of fluids when in motion, while fluid dynamics deals with the study of motion of fluids, and the relationship between the motion and the forces causing it (Frank, 2011).
On the other hand, fluid is anything whose particles can move with ease from one point to another. A fluid can either be a gas or a liquid. They are substances that deform continually when under application of stress and shear. Fluids do not resist shear and stress. When a fluid is subjected to shearing forces, it continuously deforms. The magnitude of this deformation depends on the size of force causing it. The study of fluids involves various properties of the fluid, such as density, viscosity, temperature, and pressure.
One of the properties that distinguish fluids from the solids is that they have no definite shape, rather, they assume the form of the container vessel in which they confined. An ideal fluid is the one that has no surface tension, viscosity and is also incompressible. They are also referred to as inviscid fluids (Bansal, 2005). Such fluids are not present in practice. A real fluid is the one that has a viscosity, tension and is compressible. Real fluids, also known as practical fluids are available in practice.
It is important to note that although liquids and gases share many similar features like fluids, they exhibit some differences. The significant difference between liquids and gases is that liquids have a higher density than gases because the particles of liquid are much closer to one another than those of a gas.
LAWS AND PRINCIPLES RELATING TO FLUIDS
The study of fluid mechanics involves both experiments and theory. The results of the study of fluid mechanics are expressed both physically and mathematically. Various laws and principles have been developed to explain the phenomenon of fluid motion.
Pascal’s principle explains the transmission of fluid-pressure. It states that the pressure applied at one point of the fluid is equally distributed to the other parts of the enclosed fluid provided that the fluid is incompressible (Frank, 2011).
Bernoulli’s principle explores the relationship between the velocity of the fluid and the pressure it exerts. The law states that an increase the speed of fluid results in a proportional decrease in pressure and a decrease in the velocity of a fluid increases the pressure (Frank, 2011).
Another physics law that is related to fluids is the Archimedes’s principle. It deals with the floating and sinking of objects in fluids. The law states that a partially or wholly immersed body in when the body in a fluid experiences an upward thrust that is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid (Bansal, 2005).
USES OF FLUID MECHANICS
BRAKING SYSTEMS
According to Frank (2011), the Pascal’s principle is particularly very significant in automobile braking systems. Most of the automobiles have their braking system as enclosed hydraulic systems that work on the Pascal’s principle. In a hydraulic braking system of cars, the brake pedal is attached to the master cylinder located under the bonnet. Franks (2011) asserts that when a force is applied to the brake pedal, the piston is forced into the cylinder, and, therefore, increases the pressure in the master cylinder that contains the brake fluid.
For the disc brakes, when the pressure of the fluid in the master cylinder increases, the fluid is impelled into a caliper where it presses against the piston (Bansel, 2005). The piston then pushes the two brake pads against the rotor. The rotor that attached to the wheel makes the car slow down or to stop. A spring located in the master cylinder causes the return of the piston upon the release of the brake pedal. The pressure of the fluid decreases, and then returns back to the reservoir.
Fluid for use in the braking system must possess various characteristics that make them most suitable for this application. They must have very high boiling point because they are subjected to high temperatures. They must also be incompressible or slightly compressible so as to ensure that there is the consistency of the brake pedal (Bansal, 2005). Lastly, brake fluids must be immune from corrosion effects to ensure that they do not corrode the parts of the braking system.
LIFTING MACHINES
A.ELEVATORS
The use of elevators has allowed people to move easily from floor to floor of multi-story buildings with less effort. Most of the modern elevators are driven hydraulic motion. Hydraulic elevator system consists of a fluid driven piston that is mounted inside a cylinder. The cylinder is connected to a pumping system that holds the oil in a reservoir.
An electric motor controls the pump whose function is to force the fluid from the reservoir/ tank into the pipes leading to the cylinder (Frank, 2011). As the fluid collects in the cylinder, the piston is pushed up, making the elevator rise. When it reaches the desired floor, the control system of the machine sends a signal to the motor to stop the pump from forcing more fluid into the piston. This way, the elevator stops and since the valve is still closed, the piston remains at rest on the fluid and the elevator remains in that position.
B.CRANE
Cranes are the most common lifting devices that are used especially in the construction sites as they are very effective in lifting heavy loads off the ground. Hydraulic cranes work by using a special liquid to create the force that is required to lift an object. Frank (2011) asserts that cranes have a very simple design yet they are very effective equipment that takes on heavy duties that would otherwise be impossible.
The machine works by using a piston to press down oil which in turn transmits the force to a different piston, which is raised up. So, when one of the pistons goes down, another one is raised up because of the pressure that is transmitted by the fluid.
HYDRAULIC PRESS
A hydraulic press consists of co...