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Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications

84 Introduction to Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications

Photograph shows a group of firefighters in uniform using a hose to put out a fire that is consuming two cars.
Figure 84.1 A dynamic scene involving many fluid flows: water from a hose, smoke rising from fire, air swirling in the environment, and even fluid transport within the firefighters’ bodies. All these are governed by the principles of fluid dynamics—from visible motion to subtle internal flows. (credit: Andrew Magill, Flickr)

In previous chapters, we studied fluids in static equilibrium—situations in which fluids are at rest and pressures are balanced. However, most biological systems and real-world applications involve moving fluids. The study of how fluids move is known as fluid dynamics.

Fluid motion is central to many essential processes. For example:

  • Blood flows through arteries and capillaries to supply tissues with oxygen and nutrients.
  • Air flows into and out of the lungs during respiration.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid circulates around the brain and spinal cord, aiding in cushioning and nutrient transport.
  • Water and nutrients are transported through plant xylem and phloem via capillary action and transpiration pull.

In addition to these biological examples, fluid dynamics explains the behavior of natural and engineered systems: why smoke twists and curls, how a nozzle increases water speed, and how varying blood vessel diameter regulates tissue perfusion.

Glossary

fluid dynamics
the physics of fluids in motion
definition

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College Physics 1 Copyright © 2012 by OSCRiceUniversity is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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