The course covers all fundamental concepts of hydrodynamics, and is accessible for all physics students, not just astrophysicists. There is a bias towards scientific rather than engineering applications, i.e. a greater emphasis on e.g. stellar winds, and atmospheric waves and supernovae than on airflow over aeroplane wings, and more specifically on astro-, geo- and planetary physics. The topics covered are (in approximately this order): the hydrodynamics equations; basic concepts such as Bernoulli's equation, (in)compressible, sub- and supersonic flow, nozzles, stellar winds and vorticity; waves of a few different and relevant types, as well as associated instabilities of interest to astrophysicists and associated turbulence; viscosity, similarity flows and boundary layers; shocks; rotating fluid systems; and finally a brief introduction to magnetohydrodynamics, the study of electrically conducting fluids, including some astrophysical contexts such as the solar corona, jets and discs.
Note: The last part of the course introduces magnetohydrodynamics, whose applications lie mainly in astrophysics. If you basically know about fluid dynamics already but would like to learn something about MHD, you are more than welcome to attend the last ~2 lectures in the course as a "tourist" - they are designed to be stand alone, i.e. understandable if you didn't attend the other lectures. The first of the MHD lectures will be either 3rd or 10th July, so check this page for any changes to the schedule.
Download the accompanying notes, which will be updated from time to time during the semester.
Standing orders:
Provisional schedule of lectures:
In due course, exercises will appear below.....