Exploring the connection between fluid mechanics and the kinetic theory

Author(s)

Edson José Vasques ^[1] ; Paulo Menegasso ^[2] ; Mariano de Souza ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho". Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas. Departamento de Física - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho". Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas. Departamento de Física - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho". Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas. Departamento de Física - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Física; v. 38, n. 1 2016-04-05.

Abstract

The understanding of the physical properties of fluids enabled several technological advances. For instance, it is worth mentioning the production of aircrafts, ships and cars with optimized design, which reduce the co-called drag force dramatically. Here we discuss fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics, as the drag force acting on a particle moving in a viscous fluid as proposed by Stokes in 1851, terminal velocity, Reynolds number and their connection with the kinetic theory of gases. Counter-intuitive phenomena, as the insensitivity of the terminal velocity of a particle moving under the action of gravity in a medium with distinct densities for low Reynolds number, will be discussed in detail. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/22050-4 - Exploring thermodynamic and transport properties of strongly correlated electron systems
• Grantee: Valdeci Pereira Mariano de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/17253-3 - Dynamics of formation, electronic and structural properties of graphene and similar compounds
• Grantee: Ricardo Paupitz Barbosa dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants