Mechanics
is the oldest physical science that deals with both stationary and
moving bodies under the influence of forces. The branch of mechanics that
deals with bodies at rest is called statics, while the branch that deals with
bodies in motion is called dynamics. The subcategory fluid mechanics is
defined as the science that deals with the behavior of fluids at rest (fluid
statics) or in motion (fluid dynamics), and the interaction of fluids with
solids or other fluids at the boundaries. Fluid mechanics is also referred to
as fluid dynamics by considering fluids at rest as a special case of motion
with zero velocity (Fig. 1–1).
Fluid mechanics itself is also divided into several categories. The study of
the motion of fluids that can be approximated as incompressible (such as liquids, especially water, and gases at low speeds) is usually referred to as hydrodynamics. A subcategory of hydrodynamics is hydraulics, which deals with
liquid flows in pipes and open channels. Gas dynamics deals with the flow
of fluids that undergo significant density changes, such as the flow of gases
through nozzles at high speeds. The category aerodynamics deals with the
flow of gases (especially air) over bodies such as aircraft, rockets, and automobiles at high or low speeds. Some other specialized categories such as meteorology, oceanography, and hydrology deal with naturally occurring flows
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