Yunus A. Çengel,
University of Nevada, Reno John M. Cimbala,
Pennsylvania State University, University Park
ISBN: 0072472367 Copyright year: 2006
Preface
BACKGROUND
Fluid mechanics is an exciting and fascinating subject with unlimited practical
applications ranging from microscopic biological systems to automobiles,
airplanes, and spacecraft propulsion. Yet fluid mechanics has historically been
one of the most challenging subjects for undergraduate students. Unlike earlier
freshman- and sophomore-level subjects such as physics, chemistry, and
engineering mechanics, where students often learn equations and then “plug
and chug” on their calculators, proper analysis of a problem in fluid mechanics
requires much more. Oftentimes, students must first assess the problem,
make and justify assumptions and/or approximations, apply the relevant physical
laws in their proper forms, and solve the resulting equations before ever
plugging any numbers into their calculators. Many problems in fluid mechanics
require more than just knowledge of the subject, but also physical intuition
and experience. Our hope is that this book, through its careful explanations of
concepts and its use of numerous practical examples, sketches, figures, and
photographs, bridges the gap between knowledge and proper application of
that knowledge.
Fluid mechanics is a mature subject; the basic equations and approximations
are well established and can be found in numerous introductory fluid
mechanics books. The books are distinguished from one another in the way
the material is presented. An accessible fluid mechanics book should present
the material in a progressive order from simple to more difficult, building each
chapter upon foundations laid down in previous chapters. In this way, even the
traditionally challenging aspects of fluid mechanics can be learned effectively.
Fluid mechanics is by its very nature a highly visual subject, and students
learn more readily by visual stimulation. It is therefore imperative that a good
fluid mechanics book also provide quality figures, photographs, and visual
aids that help to explain the significance and meaning of the mathematical
expressions.
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2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education