ACHESON:ELEMENTARY FLUID DYNAMICS OAMCSS PAPER

by D.J. Acheson

The study of fluid dynamics is a central theme in modern applied mathematics. It is used to model a vast range of physical phenomena and plays a vital role in science and engineering. This textbook provides a clear introduction to both the theory and application of fluid dynamics that is suitable for all undergraduates coming to the subject for the first time. Students need only a basic knowledge of vector calculus, complex analysis, and simple methods of solving differential equations. Numerous exercises (with hints and answers) illustrate the main ideas and serve to organize the reader's understanding. The wide range of topics discussed include inviscid and viscous flows, waves in fluids, boundary layer flow, and instability in flows, along with historical information and many references to important experiments. This is a comprehensive and absorbing introduction to the mathematical study of fluid behavior.

Genres: Physics, Science, Mathematics, Textbooks, Nonfiction

408 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 1990

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the fascinating world of fluid dynamics, which covers air, water, oil, or even honey! The dynamics of aeroplane flight, and weather forecasting are just two applications.

Fluids have different viscosities and can be in different-shaped containers. This book derives the equations that describe their flow: the Navier-Stokes equations, and how to solve them. They are vector, partial differential equations, which sounds complicated, but you can break them down into simpler equations, by looking at the components. In symmetrical situations, some equations are quite easy to solve.

Each chapter deals with a different aspect of Fluid Dynamics, such as Highly Viscous Flows or Waves in Fluids. It takes you through these from first principles and ends up telling you a large amount of knowledge. This is explained very clearly.

Highly recommended.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best mathematical introduction to fluid dynamics that I have found.

Fluid dynamics is is huge subject, and it is very easy to go from a simple problem to an impossibly hard one by just tweaking the problem slightly. It is like trying to find your way through very dangerous terrain, and in this book you have an excellent guide in Acheson. He shows you safe paths through topics that can be solved, he warns you of dangers that lurk nearby, and he manages to show you such a large sample of the subject that by the end you have a good grasp of fluid dynamics.

After reading this, you are better equipped to read harder books, such as Landau & Lifshitz or Batchelor.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up reading as it kind of introduced the topics in a wacky order and ended up just confusing me. It stated a lot of results initially without derivation without clearly stating this.

[NABIL MUBARAK · Rating 4 out of 5]

AN INTENSIVE COURSE THAT COVERS EVEN ADVANCED TOPICS.