Physics 211 -- Continuum Mechanics

Physics 211 is a one-quarter graduate-level course in Continuum Mechanics, given by Michael Peskin in the Winter 2010 term at Stanford University.

This course covered the mechanics of fluids and other continuum systems, emphasizing the ways in which geometrical aspects of flows follow from the analysis of partial differential equations. Useful textbooks on this material are listed at the bottom of this page.

General Course Information for Physics 211

Syllabus and lecture notes for Physics 211:

Introduction
Jan. 5: The Basic Equations of Fluid Mechanics
Jan. 7: Potential Flow
Jan. 12: Potential Flow (continued)
Jan. 14: (no class)
Jan. 19: Viscous Flow
Jan. 21: Viscous Flow (continued)
extra: Low Reynolds Number
Jan. 26: Boundary Layers
Jan. 28: Fluid Instabilities
Feb. 2: Fluid Instabilities (continued)
Feb. 4: Turbulence
Feb. 9: Wakes, and Separation
Feb. 11: Wakes, and Separation (continued)
Feb. 16: Heat Conduction and Convection
Feb. 18: Thermal Conduction and Convection (continued)
Feb. 23: Compressible Fluids
Feb. 25: Rotating Fluids
Mar. 2: Flow on a Rotating Sphere
Mar. 4: Shock Waves
Mar. 9: Shock Waves (continued)
Mar. 11: Magnetohydrodynamics

Problem sets for Physics 211:

Problem Set 1 (due Jan. 14); solutions.
Problem Set 2 (due Jan. 21); solutions.
Problem Set 3 (due Jan. 28); solutions.
Problem Set 4 (due Feb. 4); solutions.
Problem Set 5 (due Feb. 11); solutions.
Problem Set 6 (due Feb. 25); solutions.
Problem Set 7 (due Mar. 11); solutions.

Final exams for Physics 211:

Recommended reading for Physics 211:

Batchelor, An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, (Socrates listing).
Landau and Lifshitz, Fluid Mechanics (Socrates listing).
Blandford and Thorne, Applications of Classical Physics.
Tritton, Physical Fluid Dynamics, (Socrates listing).
Faber, Fluid Dynamics for Physicists, (Socrates listing).
Vallis, Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics, (Socrates listing).
Pringle and King, Astrophysical Flows.
Physics of Fluids Gallery of Fluid Motion.