Fundamentals of fluid mechanics
A lively, accessible overview of how liquids and gases behave, showing how fluid principles shape everyday life, natural phenomena, and engineering, while introducing key concepts and career pathways in the field.
Talk: Yes | Workshop: Yes | Course: No | Audience: High School, Sixthform, College, Undergraduate, Graduate, Professional
Introduction to Fluid Mechanics is an accessible and engaging talk that opens the door to one of the most important—and surprisingly relevant—fields of engineering and science. Fluid mechanics is the study of how liquids and gases move, and it shapes far more of our world than most people realise. From the motion of ocean waves and the formation of weather systems to the physics of aircraft flight, brewing a cup of tea, or even the way blood flows through your body, fluids are constantly in motion—and understanding them helps us understand the world.
This talk introduces the main branches of fluid mechanics, including fluid statics, fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics, explaining key concepts in clear, intuitive ways rather than heavy mathematics. Through real-world examples and demonstrations, audiences see how engineers and scientists analyse flow, predict behaviour, and design systems that work with—or sometimes against—fluid forces. It highlights how the same principles apply across scales, from microscopic biological systems to massive environmental phenomena.
Alongside the science, Introduction to Fluid Mechanics also explores what it takes to study and work in this field. It outlines the skills, subjects, and ways of thinking that are useful for aspiring engineers and scientists, giving practical insight into academic pathways and career possibilities. Whether you’re curious about physics, considering engineering, or simply fascinated by how things move, this talk offers a lively and eye-opening introduction to the hidden mechanics of fluids all around us.
This talk introduces the main branches of fluid mechanics, including fluid statics, fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics, explaining key concepts in clear, intuitive ways rather than heavy mathematics. Through real-world examples and demonstrations, audiences see how engineers and scientists analyse flow, predict behaviour, and design systems that work with—or sometimes against—fluid forces. It highlights how the same principles apply across scales, from microscopic biological systems to massive environmental phenomena.
Alongside the science, Introduction to Fluid Mechanics also explores what it takes to study and work in this field. It outlines the skills, subjects, and ways of thinking that are useful for aspiring engineers and scientists, giving practical insight into academic pathways and career possibilities. Whether you’re curious about physics, considering engineering, or simply fascinated by how things move, this talk offers a lively and eye-opening introduction to the hidden mechanics of fluids all around us.
