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Physics 3% exam weight

Fluid Mechanics

Part of the JAMB UTME study roadmap. Physics topic phy-20 of Physics.

Fluid Mechanics

🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)

Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your exam.

Fluid Mechanics — Key Facts Pressure: P = F/A = ρgh (hydrostatic); Pascal’s Law: pressure transmitted equally in all directions Archimedes’ Principle: Buoyant force B = ρVg (weight of displaced fluid) Continuity: A₁v₁ = A₂v₂ (incompressible fluid, conservation of mass) Bernoulli: P + ½ρv² + ρgh = constant (along a streamline) ⚡ Exam tip: Bernoulli is for horizontal flow OR when h is constant — use P + ½ρv² = constant


🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content for students with a few days to months.

Fluid Mechanics — NEET/JEE Study Guide Archimedes: B = ρ_fluid × V_submerged × g; compare densities by weighing in fluid Floatation: fraction submerged = ρ_object/ρ_fluid; for ice floating in water: 9/10 submerged Continuity: Av = constant → v ∝ 1/A; for pipe narrowing, velocity increases Bernoulli application: Venturi meter (measure flow rate), Pitot tube (measure speed of aircraft), sprayer Surface tension: γ = F/L (force per unit length); excess pressure inside soap bubble = 4γ/r (2 surfaces) Capillarity: height h = 2γcosθ/(ρgr); rise if θ < 90° (water glass), fall if θ > 90° (mercury glass)


🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)

Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.

Fluid Mechanics — Comprehensive Notes Navier-Stokes equation (terminal form): η ∇²v = ∇P - ρg for viscous flow at low Reynolds number Poiseuille’s law: volume flow rate Q = (πr⁴ΔP)/(8ηL); highly sensitive to radius (r⁴!) Stokes’ law: viscous drag F = 6πηrv; terminal velocity v_t = (2r²/9η)(ρ-σ)g for sphere Reynolds number: Re = ρvD/η; Re < 2000 → laminar; Re > 4000 → turbulent Venturi meter: Q = A₁A₂√(2gh/(A₁²-A₂²)) where h = difference in manometer levels Surface tension detailed: Laplace pressure ΔP = 2γ/r (sphere), ΔP = 4γ/r (soap bubble); drives capillary action Dimensional analysis: Buckingham Pi for drag force on sphere F = ηvD, Re = ρvD/η



📊 JAMB Exam Essentials

DetailValue
Questions180 MCQs (UTME)
Subjects4 subjects (language + 3 for course)
Time2 hours
Marking+1 per correct answer
Score400 max (used for university admission)
RegistrationJanuary – February each year

🎯 High-Yield Topics for JAMB

  • Use of English (Grammar + Comprehension) — 60 marks
  • Biology for Science students — 40 marks
  • Chemistry (Organic + Physical) — 40 marks
  • Physics (Mechanics + Optics) — 35 marks
  • Mathematics (Algebra + Geometry) — 40 marks

📝 Previous Year Question Patterns

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  • Q: “Find the value of x if 2x + 5 = 15…” [2024 Mathematics]

💡 Pro Tips

  • Use of English carries the most weight — master grammar rules and comprehension strategies
  • JAMB syllabus is your Bible — questions come directly from it. Download and use it.
  • Past questions are highly predictive — repeat patterns appear every year
  • For Science students, Biology and Chemistry are high-scoring if you study NCERT-level content

🔗 Official Resources


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📐 Diagram Reference

Clean educational diagram showing Fluid Mechanics with clear labels, white background, labeled arrows for forces/fields/vectors, color-coded components, exam-style illustration

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