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Approaching Reality by Idealization: How Fluid Resistance Was Studied by Ideal Flow Theory

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Book cover Mathematics as a Tool

Part of the book series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science ((BSPS,volume 327))

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Abstract

The gulf between theory and practice in fluid mechanics is usually attributed to the neglect of friction. Nevertheless the mathematical apparatus associated with ideal (= frictionless) flow is a powerful tool for solving real flow problems. This is illustrated with examples from 18th century hydraulics to twentieth century aerodynamics.

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Acknowledgements

This chapter is based on research for a biography of Ludwig Prandtl funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Further thanks go to the organizers and participants of the workshop on “Historical Perspectives on Mathematics as a Tool” at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Bielefeld, held from 13 to 15 November 2013, for the opportunity to present a preliminary version. I also appreciate discussions with my colleagues at the research institute of the Deutsches Museum.

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  1. Deutsches Museum, Museumsinsel 1, D-80538, München, Germany

    Michael Eckert

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  1. Michael Eckert
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Correspondence to Michael Eckert .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany

    Johannes Lenhard

  2. Department of Philosophy, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany

    Martin Carrier

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Eckert, M. (2017). Approaching Reality by Idealization: How Fluid Resistance Was Studied by Ideal Flow Theory. In: Lenhard, J., Carrier, M. (eds) Mathematics as a Tool. Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, vol 327. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54469-4_11

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