Drag on a Sphere and Newtonian Fluid Mechanics

This lecture delves into the analysis of drag on a sphere in Newtonian fluid mechanics, starting with key parameters like dimensions, density, velocity, radius, and viscosity. The Reynolds number is introduced as a crucial parameter in determining the drag force on a sphere, leading to the exploration of dimensionless groups and the application of dimensional analysis to derive the drag force equation. The lecture progresses to discuss the significance of the Reynolds number in understanding the flow regime and the structure of drag force. Various experiments and theoretical analyses are presented to illustrate the relationship between the Reynolds number and the drag force on a sphere.