PC316 · Fluid Mechanics
A knowledge wiki for PC316: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics — Thammasat University, Department of Physics. Built from the official lecture notes and re-engineered for learning: every idea is cross-linked, derived, exemplified, and quizzed.
The course in one paragraph
Fluid mechanics is what happens when you take Newton's laws seriously for a substance that cannot hold its shape. Starting from the continuum hypothesis, the course builds up statics (pressure, buoyancy), kinematics (Eulerian vs Lagrangian views, the material derivative, the Reynolds transport theorem), and dynamics — inviscid flow, potential flow, and the Navier–Stokes equation. It closes with the big phenomena: shocks, instabilities, and turbulence.
Learning path
| Stage | Topics |
|---|---|
| 1 · Foundations | What is a fluid? → Pressure → Hydrostatic equilibrium → Buoyancy → Forces on submerged surfaces |
| 2 · Kinematics | Rigid-body motion → Eulerian vs Lagrangian → Material derivative → Reynolds transport theorem |
| 3 · Inviscid flow | Continuity → Euler's equation → Bernoulli → Potential flow → Conformal mapping |
| 4 · Viscous flow | Viscosity → Navier–Stokes → Couette & Poiseuille flows |
| 5 · Scaling | Dimensional analysis → Buckingham Pi → Reynolds number |
| 6 · Compressible flow | Shock waves → Rankine–Hugoniot → Blast waves |
| 7 · Vortex dynamics | Vorticity → Circulation & Kelvin → Helmholtz theorems → Vorticity equation → Rankine vortex → Point vortices → Wingtip vortices |
| 8 · Instability | Stability analysis → Kelvin–Helmholtz → Rayleigh–Taylor |
| 9 · Turbulence | Turbulence → Energy cascade → Reynolds averaging |
Jump in
- Concept graph — the dependency map of the whole course
- Glossary — every technical term, defined
- Worked examples — from Superman's straw to the Trinity test
- Quizzes — test yourself at three difficulty levels
- Simulations — interactive explorations
How to study with this wiki
Follow the learning path in order the first time through. Before an exam, work backwards: try the quizzes first, and chase every wrong answer back through the linked concept pages.