This section is from the book "The Engineer's And Mechanic's Encyclopaedia", by Luke Hebert. Also available from Amazon: Engineer's And Mechanic's Encyclopaedia.
Hydrodynamics treats of the mechanical properties of fluids in general. It is usually divided into hydrostatics, which explains the pressure and equilibrium of liquids, such as oil, water, etc.; - Hydraulics, which points out the laws and effects resulting from the motions of liquids; - and Pneumatics, or the doctrine of elastic fluids or gases, as steam, air, etc.
 
Continue to: