2020

FLUID MECHANICS
L1F18BSME0027 NAZIM NAQVI
Define the following

1. Boundary Layer
2. Separation Points
3. Stagnation Point
4. Wake

1- Boundary Layer:
Boundary layer, in fluid mechanics, thin layer of a flowing gas or liquid in contact
with a surface such as that of an airplane wing or of the inside of a pipe. The fluid in
the boundary layer is subjected to shearing forces. A range of velocities exists across
the boundary layer from maximum to zero, provided the fluid is in contact with the
surface. Boundary layers are thinner at the leading edge of an aircraft wing and
thicker toward the trailing edge. The flow in such boundary layers is
generally laminar at the leading or upstream portion and turbulent in the trailing or
downstream portion. See also laminar flow; turbulent flow.

2- Seperation Points:
Separation point. The position at which the boundary layer leaves the surface of a
solid body. It may occur with the laminar flow (laminar separation) or when the
boundary layer is turbulent (turbulent separation).

3- Stagnation Point:
In fluid dynamics, a stagnation point is a point in a flow field where the local velocity
of the fluid is zero. Stagnation points exist at the surface of objects in the flow field,
where the fluid is brought to rest by the object.

4- Wake:
In fluid dynamics, a wake may either be:

 The region of recirculating flow immediately behind a moving or stationary blunt

body, caused by viscosity, which may be accompanied by flow
separation and turbulence, or

 The wave pattern on the water surface downstream of an object in a flow, or

produced by a moving object (e.g. a ship), caused by density differences of the
fluids above and below the free surface and gravity (or surface tension).