Fluids have properties similar to those of other substances: They take up space and they are made of matter. But fluids also have unique properties and behaviours.
Fluids such as liquids can be thick or thin.
Fluids can have high or low viscosity.
Temperature affects the density and buoyancy of fluids.
Some objects float better in one fluid than another.
Some objects sink in one fluid but not another.
Fluids are substances that FLOW. Both gases and liquids are fluids.
Laminar Flow is when the fluid travels smoothly around objects in a straight or nearly straight line.
Turbulent Flow is when the fluid is unable to travel in straight lines and is disrupted by broken or choppy movement due to randomly spaced objects in its path.
The Kinetic Molecular Theory can explain the behaviour of fluids.
All matter is composed of molecules or other types of particles.
Particles are in constant motion.
There are forces of attraction among particles.
All matter can exist in three states – SOLIDS, LIQUIDS or GASES – and can change from one state to another.