The first homework covered the building blocks of this fluid mechanics course such as, computations using the Pressure and Force formulas. Applying the Bulk Modulus formula to compress mercury by 1% … I learned it would take 35,594 psi! Compare that to the 14.7psi in our atmosphere. Specific weight and specific gravity were new concepts, and both were a little less challenging after working through a couple problems. Viscosity was the last subject covered and, besides manipulating the formula, I gained a visual of how viscosity is inversely proportional to temperature in liquids, but the opposite is true for gases.

The second homework tested my understanding of the relation between absolute, gage and atmospheric pressure, why absolute pressure cannot be negative and the need of a reference when speaking about gage pressure.

The next homework covered the Pressure-Elevation relationship with formula P= gamma (h). Based on the levels of fluids in a manometer I calculated pressure at a specific point. Conversions between inches of mercury and pressure units seemed simple but I was fortunate to catch my mistake by looking at my answer (problem 3.90) and understanding the answer was not reasonable. I also calculated forces due to gas pressure, forces on a horizontal surface under the pressure of a liquid. I struggled a lot with Forces on Rectangular Walls (problem 4.17) but realized I was not using the correct number for the specific weight of water and that helped me in later problems like Forces on Submerged Plane Areas and on Curved Forces.

Lastly the problems of Buoyancy and stability of objects in a fluid was very useful in understanding the relationship of the center of buoyancy above the center of gravity for floating objects and how they relate to the Metacentric height.

The class work was very challenging but I learned a lot from the assignments and I can relate a lot to life experiences like swimming, working on cooling systems and living on a ship.

Homework 1.1

Homework 1.2

Homework 1.3

Homework 1.4