About course

The theme "Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics" introduces the student on the fundamentals of fluid mechanics, familiarizing him with the physical laws and the mathematical principles that describe and govern the movement and the deformation of the fluids. Initially, the principles of vector and tensor calculus required in the study of fluid mechanics are introduced, relating important quantities, such as the position vector, velocity and acceleration, and the velocity-gradient tensors, deformation and vorticity. Attention is also brought to the Gauss' and Stokes' theorems and Reynolds' Transport, applied on the obtainment of conservation equations for integral and differential formulations. The linear movement quantity conservation equation is represented through the Cauchy stress tensor and, afterwards, written for the particular case of newtonian fluids. The cp and cv forms of the thermic energy equation are also derivated for newtonian fluids, with a discussion about the more appropriate form according to the nature of flow. The commonly adopted simplifier hypothesis for the fluid and for the flow are discussed, together with the necessary boundary conditions in the mathematical formulation of different problems.