Fluid Dynamics MCAT Topics

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Kat Thomson

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Flowers floating in water to represent fluid dynamics

If you’re here we’re guessing it’s because you want more review of fluid dynamics MCAT content. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Below, we’ll go over the most important concepts you’ll need to know in order to do well on this section of the test. We also encourage you to review our guide to other physics and chemistry MCAT topics included on the test.

Oh, and if you’d like a handy PDF version of this content, as well as other awesome MCAT resources, click the link below!

Click here to download more Magoosh MCAT resources

Viscosity

First thing’s first, let’s talk about the viscosity of fluid and what you need to know about it.

Viscosity (η):

  • The resistance of a fluid
  • ↓ viscosity = ↓ internal resistance to flow; ideal fluid behavior
  • Assumed negligible (unless indicated otherwise); conservation of energy in low-viscosity fluids
  • Viscous drag = non-conservative force when η = 0, fluid is inviscid
  • SI unit: pascal-second

    Magoosh image of pascal second equation

Laminar Flow and Turbulent Flow

Laminar Flow

A Magoosh image of laminar flow for fluid dynamics MCAT content

  • Smooth, parallel movement of fluid
  • Interior layers of fluid move faster than layers closest to pipe

Poiseuille Law

  • Used to find flow rate (Q)
    Magoosh image showing the equation for Poiseuille law
  • Assuming constant flow rate, radius (r) is inversely exponentially related to pressure gradient (△P)

Turbulent Flow

Magoosh image of turbulent flow for fluid dynamics MCAT content

  • Rough, disorderly
  • Eddies — swirls of fluid forming downstream of an obstruction
  • Can occur when fluid speed exceeds critical speed (Vc)
    Magoosh image for the turbulent flow equation

Linear Speed

  • Measure of linear displacement in a given time
  • flow rate, Q (volume/time) = constant in closed system
  • Continuity Equation: Q = v1A1 = v2A2
  • ↓ Area (A) = ↑ linear speed of fluid (v)
  • Statement of conservation of mass

Fluid Dynamics MCAT Principles: Bernoulli’s Equation

An image and series of equations depicting Bernoulli's principle

Equations related to Bernoulli's principle

Archimedes’ Principle

Archimedes' principle diagram for fluid dynamics MCAT content

A Final Word About Fluid Dynamics MCAT Concepts

Like everything on the test, the key is less about memorizing fluid dynamics MCAT concepts, and more about understanding the relationship between ideas. For example, when it comes to Poiseuille’s Law, you don’t have to have the equation committed to memory, but you will need to to understand what it communicates about fluid flow.

For more MCAT practice, here’s more Magoosh MCAT prep, which includes 745+ practice questions, 380 lessons, email assistance, and more!

Happy studying and good luck!

Author

  • Kat Thomson

    Kat is the Senior Curriculum Manager at Magoosh with a specialty in the MCAT. She has a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Ph.D. in medical sociology from the University of California, San Francisco, where she earned the Distinguished Dissertation Award in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Kat has been teaching premed and nursing students since 2005 as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco, Bowdoin, and the University of California, Berkeley, while collaborating on multiple research projects and publications. In addition to the MCAT, Kat has taught courses in Research Methods, Gender, Global and Environmental Health, and others. She is passionate about increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in medicine and helping students get into the medical schools of their dreams. You can join Kat on Instagram and YouTube.

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