Fluid Mechanics Flashcards
What is Fluid Mechanics?
The study of forces acting on a body travelling through air or water.
What are the two key factors that act on a body in Fluid Mechanics?
- Air Resistance
- Drag
What does Air Resistance act on?
A body travelling at high velocity through the air.
What does Drag act on?
A body travelling through the water.
True or False: Air resistance and drag act in the same direction as the motion of the moving body.
False
In which sports is significant money spent to reduce air resistance and drag?
- Cycling
- Swimming
- F1
- Sailing
Fill in the blank: Fluid mechanics studies the forces acting on a body travelling through _______.
[air or water]
What is the primary effect of air resistance and drag on a moving body?
They act in opposition to the direction of motion.
What does the Bernoulli Principle state?
‘An additional force can be created by a pressure gradient as a result of differing air velocities.’
How can lift force be created in flight?
‘Creation of an additional lift force in flight is possible based on the shape of a projectile.’
What is the overall effect of lift on a projectile?
‘The overall effect is to increase the projectile ‘hang time’ in the air, increasing the overall horizontal distance covered.’
Define lift force.
‘An additional force created by a pressure gradient forming on opposing surfaces of an aerofoil moving through a fluid or the air.’
