MECHANICS OF FLUIDS presents fluid mechanics so that students gain an understanding of and an ability to analyze the important phenomena encountered by practicing engineers. The authors succeed in this through the use of several pedagogical tools (Margin Notes, Chapter Outlines, Summaries, and a nomenclature list) that help students visualize the many difficult-to-understand phenomena of fluid mechanics. Potter and Wiggert base their explanations on basic physical concepts and mathematics which are accessible to undergraduate engineering students, such as differential equations and vector algebra.

This textbook encourages students to visualize the phenomena of fluid mechanics so that they may analyze the problems faced by practicing engineers. Explanations are based on concepts and mathematics accessible to undergraduate engineering students. Chapters cover fluid statics, fluids in motion, the fundamental laws, dimensional analysis, internal and flows, compressible flows, flows in open channels and in piping systems, measurements, environmental fluid dynamics, and computational fluid dynamics.
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MECHANICS OF FLUIDS presents fluid mechanics so that readers gain an understanding of and an ability to analyze the important phenomena encountered by practicing engineers. The authors succeed in this through the use of several pedagogical tools (Margin Notes, Chapter Outlines, Summaries, and a nomenclature list) that help readers visualize the many difficult-to-understand phenomena of fluid mechanics.

Merle C. Potter received his Ph.D. from The University of Michigan and is Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University. He retired early to write textbooks based on teaching Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Applied Mathematics, and related subjects. Dr. Potter's research included the stability of various fluid flows, separated flow around bodies, and energy conservation studies. He has authored and coauthored 24 textbooks and exam review books that have sold over 300,000 copies.

1. Basic Considerations. Introduction. Dimensions, Units, and Physical Quantities. Continuum View of Gases and Liquids. Pressure and Temperature Scales. Fluid Properties. Conservation Laws. Thermodynamic Properties and Relationships. Problems. 2. Fluid Statics. Introduction. Pressure at a Point. Pressure Variation. Fluids at Rest. Linearly Accelerating Containers. Rotation Containers. Problems. 3. Introduction to Fluids in Motion. Introduction. Description of Fluid Motion. Classification of Fluid Flows. The Bernoulli Equation. Problems. 4. The Integral Forms of the Fundamental Laws. Introduction. System-to-Control-Volume Transformation. Conservation of Mass. Energy Equation. Moment-of-Momentum Equation. Summary. Problems. 5. The Differential Forms of the Fundamental Laws. Introduction Differential Continuity Equation. Differential Momentum Equation. Differential Energy Equation. Summary. Problems. 6. Dimensional Analysis and Similitude. Introduction. Dimensional Analysis. Similitude. Normalized Differential Equations. Problems. 7. Internal Flows. Introduction. Entrance Flow and Developed Flow. Laminar Flow in a Pipe. Laminar Flow between Parallel Plates. Laminar Flow between Rotating Cylinders. Turbulent Flow in a Pipe. Uniform Turbulent Flow in Open Channels. Problems. 8. External Flows. Introduction. Separation. Flow Around Immersed Bodies. Lift and Drag on Airfoils. Potential Flow Theory. Boundary Layer Theory. Problems. 9. Compressible Flow. Introduction. Speed of Sound and the Mach Number. Isentropic Nozzle Flow. Normal Shock Wave. Shock Waves in Converging-Diverging Nozzles. Vapor Flow through a Nozzle. Oblique Shock Wave. Isentropic Expansion Waves. Problems. 10. Flow in Open Channels. Introduction. Open-Channel Flows. Uniform Flow. Energy Concepts in Open-Channel Flow. Momentum Concepts in Open-Channel Flow. Nonuniform, Gradually Varied Flow. Numerical Analysis of Water Surface Profiles. Problems. 11. Flows in Piping Systems. Introduction. Losses in Piping Systems. Simple Pipe Systems. Analysis of Pipe Networks. Unsteady Flow in Pipelines. Problems. 12. Turbomachinery. Introduction. Turbopumps. Dimensional Analysis and Similitude for Turbomachinery. Use of Turbopumps in Piping Systems. Turbines. Selection and Operation of Turbines. Problems. 13. Measurements in Fluid Mechanics. Introduction. Measurement of Local flow Parameters. Flow Rate Measurement. Flow Visualization. Data Acquisition and Analysis. Problems. 14. Environmental Fluid Mechanics. Introduction. Transport Processes in Fluids. Fundamental Equations of Mass and Heat Transport. Turbulent Transport. Evaluation the Transport Coefficients in the Environment. Problems. 15. Computational Fluid Dynamics. Appendix. Units and Conversion. Fluid Properties. Properties of Areas and Volumes. Compressible-Flow Tables for Air. Computer Programs. Films or Videocassettes. Bibliography. References. General Interest. Answers to Selected Problems in Chapters 1 Through 8. Index.