Thermofluids - Fluid Properties & Intro to Statics

Viscosity is an intensive property, similar to friction, representing a fluid's resistance to flow.
Dynamic Viscosity: Symbol is μ (Mu), units are Pascal-seconds (Pa.s) or kg/(m.s).

Hydrostatics is the study of fluids at rest in stable equilibrium.
Pressure:
- Scalar property defined as normal force per unit area (Pascals - Pa).
- Increases with depth of immersion: P{abs} = P{atm} + ρgh, where ρ is density, g is gravity, and h is height.
- Independent of container shape; constant on a horizontal plane within a fluid.
Pascal’s Law: Pressure applied to a confined fluid increases throughout the fluid by the same amount.
Pascal’s Machine: Hydraulic systems use cylinders of different areas to exert proportionally greater force
- P1 = P2 → \frac{F1}{A1} = \frac{F2}{A2} → \frac{F2}{F1} = \frac{A2}{A1}.

Air Compressors: store pressurized air to drive kinetic energy devices like pneumatic tools.
Sandblasters: entrain particles into pressurized flows for surface preparation.

Buoyant Force: Upward force exerted by a fluid on an immersed object: Fb = ρ{fluid} g V_{obj}.