Are acoustics and Fluid mechanics related? I am good in solid mechanics and wish to learn fluid mechanics. Will learning acoustics serve as a bridge between the two?
You can use acoustic media to model fluid properties. This technique normally used for fluid- solid interaction problems to ease simulation procedure. Most of the time, when a wave ( high or low speed) propagates through a fluid media the acoustic media can be useful.
Consider an apparatus for acoustic concentration of particles in fluid flow.
The fluid flow path i with a fluid source and a fluid outlet and the vibration generator is disposed adjacent the fluid flow path and is capable of producing an acoustic field in the fluid flow path. The acoustic field produces at least one pressure minima in the fluid flow path at a predetermined location within the fluid flow path and forces predetermined particles in the fluid flow path to the at least one pressure minima.
Just example, fluid flow and aero-structures, as well as noise and vibration, by carefully relating one can improve the operation from elevators to jet aircraft and even the comfort of those inside them.
Acoustic is nothing but the pressure fluctuations over the mean flow. Any pressure fluctuations in a medium moves with the speed of sound in that medium given by sqrt(gamma*R*T). If the fluid particle moves with the speed less than the sound speed (Mach No.