The Physics of Fluid Mechanics

Overview of topics by lesson: 1) Archimedes' principle, Pascal's law, Bernoulli's principle, 2) the concepts covered in the first lesson applied to the use and failure of above-ground storage tanks in the Houston Ship Channel.

Physics and fluid mechanics are integral parts of engineering, and both are typically presented as required courses at most universities for most engineering majors. Engineers apply Pascal's law, Archimedes' principle and Bernoulli's principle to design and construct various floating vessels, submersibles, airplanes, automobiles, pipelines and transport systems, hydraulic structures and even petrochemical storage tanks. Ocean and marine engineers study the offshore environment to design oil rigs and production platforms as well as floating vessels and subsea pipeline systems needed in the oil production process. Other engineers design different types of submersibles and remotely operated vehicles used to explore deep-water environments. Still other engineers apply these scientific concepts to become specialists in hydraulics—the use of liquid power to do work—and they design heavy machinery, water distribution systems, sewage networks, storm water management systems, bridges, dams, channels, canals and levees.