Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine how energy-conservation principle is exposed in hydrodynamics chapters of university physics textbooks. Ten physics textbooks analyzed show considerable deficiencies in the use of energy concepts related to uncompressible fluid dynamics. The following problems have been extensively found: The pressure energy concept is ambiguously introduced, the examples of Bernoulli equation are limited, the effect of pumps and turbines in Bernoulli equation is not presented, none of the textbooks cited the energy-conservation principle after viscosity and viscous fluids are exposed, the term "head loss" is not introduced, the meaning of pressure drop in Poiseuille formula and the difference of pressures in Bernoulli equation for nonviscous fluids are not clearly distinguished, and the lack of the energy-conservation principle in viscous fluids (extended Bernoulli equation) is dramatic. Difficulties to link fluid dynamics and energy concepts are well known in the history of physics during past centuries. From the analysis results, it seems worth to make a revision of hydrodynamics in university physics textbooks. The inclusion of the extended Bernoulli equation and concepts like pressure energy, head loss, and heat dissipated in the fluid are recommended.

Citation

Ibanez, M. & Ramos, M.C. (2004). Physics Textbooks Presentation of the Energy-Conservation Principle in Hydrodynamics. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 13(2), 267-276. Retrieved August 11, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/166028/.

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Keywords

• Energy
• Energy Conservation
• physics
• science education
• Textbooks