Mechanical Properties Of FluidsClass 11 Physics Notes

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Section 1 of 6

Introduction to Fluids

Anything that can flow is called a fluid. This includes both liquids and gases. The ability to flow is the main property that separates fluids from solids.

  • Shape and Volume: Solids have a definite shape and volume. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container. Gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume; they expand to fill the entire container.
  • Compressibility: This refers to how much the volume of a substance can be changed by applying pressure. Gases are highly compressible, while liquids and solids are considered largely incompressible because their volume changes very little with pressure.
  • Shear Stress: This is a type of stress that changes the shape of an object. Solids can resist shear stress. Fluids, however, have very little resistance to it. This is why they flow and change shape easily when even a small force is applied.