A fter considerable preparation (Appendix A, Chapters 1 and 2), we are ready to analyze the detailed motions of materials in particular geometries. Try not to be discouraged if some of our initial examples appear to be too simple. The simple problems are there in order to allow you to gain both facility and confidence.

The objection is sometimes raised that studying fluid mechanics in the detail described here is useless because the problems that can be solved are trivial. A statement such as this is normally made as an exaggeration to make a point. The point is that the interesting problems require numerical solutions or that the interesting problems are susceptible only to approximate solutions.

There is an element of truth here. Our feeling is that the best way to be introduced to this material is through the use of problems that can be solved with a minimum of programming. In this way, concepts and techniques can be polished rapidly. These problems are required preparation for those who wish to study more sophisticated problems, to develop limiting cases as checks on the validity of numerical work, or to develop approximate solutions using the integral techniques of Chapter 4.