Image
Physics of fluids and nonlinear physics
Objectives : the lecture will present a broad overview of fluid mechanics at all scales, from bacterias to stars.
After a review of hydrodynamics fundamentals (conservation laws and boundary conditions), the lecture will stroll through two main themes, Low Reynolds number hydrodynamics and inertia-dominated flows.
A particular focus on thin films will allow for a description of flows as diverse as the relaxation of micron-thick viscous polymer melts up to planet-sized atmospherical flows.
Syllabus
Through worked-out examples, the fundamentals of flow modelling will be introduced :
- key concepts (boundary layers, waves and flow instabilities),
- physical mechanisms (diffusive/convective fluxes, vortex induction),
- techniques (scale invariance and thin films), and
- approaches (quick order of magnitude estimates vs more refined
asymptotic analyses).
Prerequisites
Evaluation
Continued form of evaluation to be determined, for example 1 project + 2 written evaluations