The fluid and transport sciences are known by a plethora of names. This complexity stems from the complexity of fluid flow itself. The following is an explanation of the more popular nomenclature:

Thermodynamics

The main science of energy in matter. Fluid Mechanics is the thermodynamics of fluids. Thermodynamics itself usually does not deal with the complexities of fluid motion.

Fluid Mechanics

Encompasses all fluid behavior, both static, and dynamic.

Fluid Dynamics

A subset of Fluid Mechanics dealing with the motion of fluids.

Gas Dynamics

A subset of Fluid Dynamics dealing with the motion of gases. Includes real and chemically reacting gasses.

Turbulent gas dynamic flowfield in annular duct with imbedded heat exchanger - Computational Fluid Dynamics solution.

Aerothermodynamics

Nearly synonymous with gas dynamics, but usually implies real gas or chemically reacting flows.

 

 

Aerodynamics

A subset of Gas Dynamics usually dealing with non-reacting gasses, usually air. Often associated with the gas dynamics of aircraft and air vehicles.

Hydrodynamics

The analog of aerodynamics or gas dynamics for liquid flow.

Hydrostatics

Similar to hydrodynamics, but implies a lack of fluid motion.

Hydraulics

Hydrostatics applied to fluid power devices. Automotive braking systems are an example. Goes beyond hydrostatics in that pumping and fluid motion are often involved.

Pneumatics

The analog of hydrodynamics using gasses as the working fluids.

Acoustic pulse propagation in curved duct - Computational Acoustics solution.

Acoustics

The science of sound propagation through solids and fluids. Independent of fluid motion. Involves pressure waves and therefore implied time dependency.

Aeroacoustics

Acoustics where the sound source is a moving gas. Can be thought of as gas dynamics plus acoustics. Turbulent flow noise heard inside an aircraft in flight is due to aeroacoustics.

Hydroacoustics

The analog of aeroacoustics using liquids as the fluid media.

Heat Transfer

Science of energy transport due to conduction, convection, or radiation. Convective heat transfer is a subset of fluid dynamics.

Magnetohydrodynamics

Fluid dynamics involving flows of conductive or electrically charged fluids in the presence of magnetic fields. A subset of fluid dynamics.