ABSTRACT
Fluid mechanics is the branch of engineering that deals with the study of fluids-both liquids and gases. Such a study is important because of the prevalence of fluids and our dependence on them. The air we breathe, the water transported through pipes, and the blood in our veins are examples of common fluids. Further, fluids in motion are potential sources of energy that can be converted into useful work-for example, by a waterwheel or a windmill. Clearly, fluids are important, and a study of them is essential to the engineer. The objectives of this chapter are to define a fluid, to describe the unit systems used in the chapter, to discuss common properties of fluids, to establish features that distinguish liquids from gases, and to present the concept of a continuum.
