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 dynam...