HelpFeedback
Fluid Mechanics
Information Center
Sample Chapter
Table of Contents
Feature Summary
About the Authors
Preface
Supplements
PageOut
Engineering Catalog


Student Edition
Instructor Edition
Fluid Mechanics

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.

Download the complete preface by clicking the link below:
Preface (95.0K)

To obtain an instructor login for this Online Learning Center, ask your local sales representative. If you're an instructor thinking about adopting this textbook, request a free copy for review.