FLUIDS       I got this information from wikipedia.com and http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/fluids.htm. Some more good site is http://theory.uwinnipeg.ca/mod_tech/node65.html

Note: if a word if surrounded by "..." then it has a meaning in the Glossary.

 A fluid is a substance that always flows(deforms) under an applied "shear stress" regardeless of the magnitude.

    It is a subset of the phases of matter and includes liquids ,gases ,and plasmas. Fluids are divided into liquids and gases. Liquids form a free surface while gases do not. Solids and fluids are not so different. To find the difference between solids and fluids is evaluate the "viscosity" of the matter: like silly putty. It can be a solid or a liquid.

    Another definition of ’fluid’ includes pretty much everything that’s not a solid. That is, it includes both liquids and gases, things that fill the shape of their containers.

The states of matter are the solid, liquid, gas and plasma states. Liquids, gases and plasmas are classified as fluids because their physical properties are similar and they are different than solids. A common feature of fluids is that they do not have a definite shape and are readily deformed.

The differance between Solids and Fluids is Fluids don't have a definete shape. It takes the shape of it's container. For example if you put a rock in a glass it won't fill up the hole bottom but if you put water in it will.

Another interesting fact is that liquids molecular forces pulls the material together. Like in space without the help of gravity Gases and plasmas spread out in shapeless forms but liquids will form a blob or droplets or spheres.

A good test to take is on http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/fluids.htm#Mini-quiz.

Click here to visit Mr.Prazak's Science Wiki.