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Fluid Dynamics 4 (MATH M0600)

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Administrative Information

  1. Unit number and title: MATH M0600 Fluid Dynamics 4
  2. Level: M/7
  3. Credit point value: 20 credit points
  4. Year: 10/11
  5. First Given in this form: in this form : 2003/04
  6. Unit Organiser: Andrew Hogg
  7. Lecturer: Dr A J Hogg
  8. Teaching block: 1
  9. Prerequisites: Calculus 2 (MATH 20900), Applied Partial Differential Equations 2 (MATH 20402)

Unit aims

Understanding the principles governing fluid flow.

General Description of the Unit

The behaviour of ordinary fluids like oil, water, or air can be understood on the basis of a single equation, due to Navier and Stokes. The description of fluid motion thus amounts to finding solutions to the Navier-Stokes equation, a mathematical problem of almost infinite variability and often staggering complexity. (A look at a weather map should convince you of that.) Solutions to physically relevant problems generally involve some approximation, motivated by physical insight, and based on the identification of the key parameters that determine the solution.

Close to an equilibrium state, the problem can be solved by linearising the equation around it. Far away from such a state flows are often characterised by widely differing length scales. This seemingly complex structure can be used to one's advantage by investigating the solution under a change of scales.

Unavoidably, fluid mechanics has broken up into a great number of subfields. However, this course will try to give a more unified view by emphasizing mathematical structures that reappear in different guises in almost all those sub-specialities.

Relation to Other Units

This unit is a continuation of the Level 3 Fluid Dynamics unit and an investiagtion of more advanced topics.  This unit is self-contained and it is not necessary to have previously attended Level 3 Fluid Dynamics.  However familarity with the key themes and ideas of Level 3 Fluid Dynamics would be advantageous.

Teaching Methods

A unit of 30 lectures spread over 12 weeks. Regular homework assignments are set.

Learning Objectives

After taking this unit, students should:

  • know the basic equations and the underlying concepts
  • realise the importance of the Reynolds number and other non-dimensional parameters
  • know how to set up the appropriate mathematical equations for a given flow problem
  • appreciate the general concepts of stability and scaling

Assessment Methods

The assessment mark for Advanced Fluid Dynamics is calculated from a 2½-hour written examination in April consisting of FIVE questions. A candidate's best FOUR answers will be used for assessment. Calculators are NOT permitted, but candidates may bring ALL their written lecture notes to the examination.

Award of Credit Points

Credit points are gained by:

  • either passing the unit (i.e. gaining a mark of 50 or over),
  • or getting an overall assesment mark of 30 or over AND handing in
    satisfactory attempts at the homework questions nominated during the course.

Transferable Skills

Ability to transfer physical questions into well-defined mathematical problems. Understanding the critical parameters of a problem and developing intuition for the behaviour of a system as a function of these parameters.

Texts

  1. L.D. Landau & E.M. Lifshitz Fluid Mechanics, Pergamon 1959
  2. D.J. Acheson, Elementary Fluid Dynamics, Oxford.
  3. T.E. Faber, Fluid dynamics for physicists, Cambridge, 1995
  4. G.K. Batchelor, An introduction to fluid mechanics, Cambridge 1965

Syllabus

See under General Description of Unit.