Analysis A substance in the liquid or gas phase is referred to as a fluid. A fluid differs from a solid in that a solid can resist an applied shear stress by deforming, whereas a fluid deforms continuously under the influence of shear stress, no matter how small. A liquid takes the shape of the container it is in, and a liquid forms a free surface in a larger container in a gravitational field. A gas, on the other hand, expands until it encounters the walls of the container and fills the entire available space. Discussion The subject of fluid mechanics deals with ball fluids, both gases and liquids. 1-2C Solution We are to define internal, external, and open-channel flows. Analysis External flow is the flow of an unbounded fluid over a surface such as a plate, a wire, or a pipe. The flow in a pipe or duct is internal flow if the fluid is completely bounded by solid surfaces. The flow of liquids in a pipe is called open-channel flow if the pipe is partially filled with the liquid and there is a free surface, such as the flow of water in rivers and irrigation ditches. Discussion As we shall see in later chapters, different approximations are used in the analysis of fluid flows based on their classification. 1-3C Solution We are to define incompressible and compressible flow, and discuss fluid compressibility. Analysis A fluid flow during which the density of the fluid remains nearly constant is called incompressible flow. A flow in which density varies significantly is called compressible flow. A fluid whose density is practically independent of pressure (such as a liquid) is commonly referred to as an “incompressible fluid,” although it is more proper to refer to incompressible flow. The flow of compressible fluid (such as air) does not necessarily need to be treated as compressible since the density of a compressible fluid may still remain nearly constant during flow – especially flow at low speeds. Discussion It turns out that the Mach number is the critical parameter to determine whether the flow of a gas can be approximated as an incompressible flow. If Ma is less than about 0.3, the incompressible approximation yields results that