Current problems of fluid dynamics

Richard G. Fowler

doi:10.1063/1.3048301

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Current problems of fluid dynamics

JUN 01, 1966

Subjects from sonic boom to tidal waves occupy fluid dynamicists. When the American Physical Society held its joint meeting with the Japanese Physical Society in Hawaii, they discussed boundary‐layer flow, kinetics of dense gases and applications of their subject in contemporary engineering. They worry because study of fluids is declining even as its importance increases.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3048301

Richard G. Fowler

A PARADOX CONFRONTS contemporary physicists: although scope, importance and utility of fluid dynamics in physics have grown spectacularly, teaching of the subject in physics departments has been receiving less and less attention. Not only are advanced courses becoming rare, but fluids are often eliminated from introductory physics for lack of time. Even when they are included, outdated aspects are usually presented, and modern contributions are ignored.

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Richard G. Fowler, University of Oklahoma.