Introduction to the Physics of Fluids and Solids

by James S. Trefil

Introduction to the Physics of Fluids and Solids presents a way to learn continuum mechanics without mastering any other systems. It discusses an introduction to the principles of fluid mechanics. Another focus of study is the fluids in astrophysics. Some of the topics covered in the book are the rotation of the galaxy, the concept of stability, the fluids in motion, and the waves in fluids, the theory of the tides, the vibrations of the earth, and nuclear fission. The viscosity in fluids is covered. The flow of viscous fluids is discussed. The text identifies the general circulation of the atmosphere. An analysis of the general properties of solids is presented. A chapter of the volume is devoted to the applications of seismology. Another section of the book focuses on the flow of the blood and the urinary drop spectrometer. The book will provide useful information to doctors, physicists, engineers, students and researchers.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2010

About the author

James S. Trefil (born 9/10/1938) is an American physicist (Ph.D. in Physics at Stanford University in 1966) and author of more than thirty books. Much of his published work focuses on science for the general audience. Dr. Trefil has previously served as Professor of Physics at the University of Virginia and he now teaches as Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University. Among Trefil's books is Are We Unique?, an argument for human uniqueness in which he questions the comparisons between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. Trefil also regularly gives presentations to judges and public officials about the intersections between science and the law.

Reviews

[Philip Mancino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worked through the first 12 chapters—Trefil is an excellent communicator in so far as distilling the dense field of fluids to the reader. His account is clearly tailored toward the physicist, which is welcomed with open arms considering the lack of fluid dynamics in the standard physics curriculum. The problems are well posed and the only true fault of the book is that it doesn’t cover as much as the physicist interested in fluids might want—topics like lift, turbulence, and other topics in statics are surprisingly absent. In any case, the book is extremely readable and serves as a great introduction to fluids for a physicist that is unfamiliar.