AMS107 -- PHYS107 -- AMS217

Instructor: Prof. Nic Brummell

 

 

This course focuses on the fundamentals of fluid dynamics as applied to astrophysical and geophysical systems. We will deal with: a kinematic understanding of fluid flows (how do we describe flows?, the continuum hypothesis, Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions, etc); a dynamic understanding of fluid flows i.e. the various equation sets describing inviscid and viscous flow derived from conservation laws; dynamic similarity and scale analysis; inviscid potential flows; gravity waves; exact solutions of Navier-Stokes equations; boundary layer formulations; and a selection of more advanced topics such as numerical simulations, compressible flows and some introductory discussions of fluid instabilities, waves, chaos, nonlinear equilibration, and turbulence.

The course is aimed at providing the student with a basic understanding of fluid dynamics, both intuitively and from an applied mathematics point of view.

By the end of the course, you will know really what it takes to fly, a lot more about ocean waves, and how to throw a good curve ball in baseball!

The regular lecture material will be augmented with video presentations and experimental demonstrations.

People:

Instructor -- Nic Brummell   Office: Be359A   Phone: 9-2122   Email: brummell at soe.ucsc.edu   Office hours: wed 5:15pm

Lectures: 

Soc Sci 2 Room 167, Tues/Thurs, 1:30-3:05pm

Primary Text: 

Kundu, Cohen and Dowling (= K), Fluid Mechanics (6th ed., Academic Press)

Latest announcements

  • 12/03:   FINAL EXAM is Thurs Dec 12th 12-3pm in the usual classroom.
    • Exam will consist of two parts -- one section with conceptual questions like the midterm, one section with questions like the homeworks
    • Closed book, closed notes, no cheat sheets etc!   Don't worry, I won't expect you to remember any vector identities etc that are not competely obvious!
  • 11/13: 
    • HW4 and Mid-term answers are posted
    • We will still have a video/office hours today if people want to come (despite the strike!)
  • 10/25:  Finally got fountain videos up!
  • 10/23: 
    1.  No popcorn and videos tonight (Wed 23rd).  Sorry, I have to be somewhere else tonight at that time.
    2.  There is an issue that arises in HW3 in the integration of certain functions:
    e.g.  dx/dt = u_0   dy/dt = cos(x)  (where u_0 is a constant)
    Notice you *cannot* say therefore y=cos(x) t + c because x is a function of t, x(t).  You can see this because you should integrate for x first which gives x=u_0 t + const (x_0 say).  Now dy/dt=cos(u_o t + x_o).  This integrates differently.
    If you think you made this error, you have an amnesty until Thurs class to go into your HW and fix it!
  • 10/10:  Thursday class is CANCELLED, due to the PG&E stuff.  We will carry on next Tuesday instead.  Watch the Eulerian/Lagrangian video, get your homework all in order to hand in, and, teams, get those fountains ready in all their glory!  We will have the fountain competition on Tuesday now.  HW is now also due on Tues.  PS.  You can hand your HW in via PDF in an email or physical paper in class, either way.    Here is the video:  "Eulerian Lagrangian Descriptions"
  • 10/09:  NO GROUP VIDEO WATCHING TODAY SINCE ALL CLASSES ARE CANCELLED!  I highly recommend that you still watch today's video on your own though (if you have power!).
  • 10/03:  Here are the AWESOME PICS that everyone submitted for Homework 1! Check them out!  Some cool and classy stuff!  A very interesting selection.  We wil discuss fluid dynamics related to A LOT of these :D
  • 09/25: Get ready ... ! First class Thurs Sept 26th ...!!

Lecture Notes

Extra video sessions and office hours:

Wednesday at 5:15pm in BE358??

The URL for the set of videos if you are not coming to the session is here, or get them directly on YouTube here