流体力学は液体や気体など、流体の静止状態や運動状態での性質を研究する物理学の一分野で、化学、生物学、数学、工学など複数の科学分野にまたがる典型的な学際領域です。基礎となる基本物理原則に着目し、蛇口からの滴りや泳ぐアヒルなどわかりやすい例を用いてその現象を紹介します。主な物理的概念を踏まえ、これらの根底にある原理が幅広い流動作用にどう応用できるのかを示し、流体運動の自然界、産業界での役割に光を当てるほか、将来の応用も考察します。
 

　　　
Fluid mechanics is an important branch of physics concerned with the way in which fluids, such as liquids and gases, behave when in motion and at rest. A quintessential interdisciplinary field of science, it interacts with many other scientific disciplines, from chemistry and biology to mathematics and engineering.
　　　
This Very Short Introduction introduces readers to the field of fluid mechanics by focusing on the fundamental physical ideas underlying it, and using everyday phenomena from daily life to demonstrate them, from dripping taps to swimming ducks. Following this set of core physical concepts, it shows how these underlying principles can be applied to a wide range of flow behaviours. Eric Lauga also highlights the role of fluid motion in both the natural and industrial world, and considers future applications of fluid mechanics in science.