Hydrodynamics studies liquids in motion, applying conservation laws to predict laminar and turbulent flow patterns. It has practical applications in engineering and marine science, predicting weather conditions and ecology using computer-generated models.
Hydrodynamics is the study of liquids in motion. In particular, it examines the ways in which different forces affect the movement of liquids. A set of equations explains how the laws of conservation of mass, energy and momentum apply to liquids, especially uncompressed liquids.
Hydrodynamics is part of a larger field called fluid mechanics which studies how energy and forces interact with fluids, including gases and liquids. Fluid dynamics is a subset of the science that examines these same materials when they are in motion. Aerodynamics is a further subset of fluid dynamics that looks specifically at gases in motion, while hydrodynamics looks specifically at liquids in motion.
Hydrodynamics is used extensively in engineering. Some studies focus primarily on flow through pipes and various obstructions. This is very useful information for building structures that attempt to control or divert the flow of water in a controlled way. Mathematical equations attempt to predict the speed of water flow through a pipe, which is a laminar or uninterrupted flow. They also try to predict turbulent or disrupted flow patterns with some level of accuracy, as is the case with an object such as a dam.
Marine hydrodynamics is another important practical application of science. A hydrodynamic model uses the formulas found in conservation laws to explain how and why water reacts to its environment and vice versa. Before the computer age, most of these models were small-scale recreations of real-life scenarios. Today, hydrodynamic models are usually computer-generated animations or formulas that can be applied to those same real-life conditions.
Hydrodynamic models examine conditions in oceans and other bodies of water and can predict various outcomes. Short-term weather conditions can often be predicted from ocean actions. The ecology of an area can also be predicted using these models, as more accurate models can show information such as water levels, salinity, currents, and temperature. Scientists can tell, for example, whether aquatic plant life will grow favorably in the coming year. This is particularly useful in areas such as the US Gulf Coast, where plant life in the water impacts hurricane severity.
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