Fluid Mechanics (Fluid Properties & Fluid System Components)

A fluid is matter that flows under pressure, which includes liquids, gases, and even plasmas. Water is a fluid,
air is a fluid, the sun is a fluid, and even molasses are a fluid. Fluid Mechanics is the study of fluids, ranging
from fluids at rest, to fluids in motion, to forces applied to and exerted by fluids.
A fluid is a substance, which deforms continuously, or flows, when subjected to shearing force. In fact if a
shear stress is acting on a fluid it will flow and if a fluid is at rest there is no shear stress acting on it.

Fluid properties
Density
The density of a fluid, designated by the Greek symbol (rho), is defined as its mass per unit volume.
Density is typically used to characterize the mass of a fluid system. The density has units of kg/m3 for SI
unit system and slug/ft3 for Imperial unit system.

Specific weight
The specific weight of a fluid, designated by the Greek symbol (gamma), is defined as its weight per unit
volume.

Viscosity
Viscosity, designated by the Greek symbol (mu), is the property of a fluid, due to cohesion and interaction
between molecules, which offers resistance to shear deformation.
Different fluids deform at different rates under the same shear stress. The ease with which a fluid pours is an
indication of its viscosity. Fluid with a high viscosity such as syrup deforms more slowly than fluid with a
low viscosity such as water. The viscosity is also known as dynamic viscosity.

MIET6316C Apply Basic Scientific Principles and Techniques

College of Science, Engineering and Health
School of Engineering (TAFE)

Class Notes
1

Prepared by Yadana Wai

Surface Tension
Liquids possess the properties of cohesion and adhesion due to molecular attraction. Due to the property of
cohesion, liquids can resist small tensile forces at the interface between the liquid and air, known as surface
tension, . Surface tension is defined as force per unit length, and its unit is N/m. The reason for the
existence of this force arises from intermolecular attraction. In the body of the liquid, a molecule is
surrounded by other molecules and intermolecular forces are symmetrical and in equilibrium. At the surface
of the liquid, a molecule has this force acting only through 180.
This imbalance forces means that the molecules at the surface tend to be drawn together, and they act rather
like a very thin membrane under tension. This causes a slight deformation at the surface of the liquid (the
meniscus effect).

MIET6316C Apply Basic Scientific Principles and Techniques

College of Science, Engineering and Health
School of Engineering (TAFE)

Class Notes
2

Prepared by Yadana Wai

Fluid Components
Fluid system components include the hardware for pumping systems, and some for pneumatics and
hydraulics.
Pipes, channels, tubes and ducts, Pipe fittings
Valves - gate, globe, non-return/foot, needle, ball, plug cock, diaphragm, pressure
regulating/reducing, safety
Measurement: Gauges and instruments: Venturi and orifice meters, pitot tube, rotameter,
anemometer
Tanks/vessels
Filters/strainers
Nozzles/spray heads
Pumps/compressors, motors/turbines
Actuators - linear/rotary
Selection of equipment/instruments

MIET6316C Apply Basic Scientific Principles and Techniques

College of Science, Engineering and Health
School of Engineering (TAFE)

Class Notes
3

Prepared by Yadana Wai