Navier–Stokes equations

Ever wondered how airplanes stay aloft?

Imagine you're flying a kite; it moves smoothly in the air, but if you suddenly pull it too hard, it jerks and shakes.

The smooth movement of the kite is like a fluid moving without resistance, while the jerk is like a fluid experiencing friction. The Navier-Stokes equations describe this balance of forces in a fluid, accounting for both smooth flow and resistance.

Example

A kite gliding steadily in the wind (smooth flow) versus a kite struggling against a sudden gust (friction).

Remember this

The Navier-Stokes equations help us predict how fluids like air will behave, ensuring airplanes can fly smoothly.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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