E260 -- Tentamen theoriae de frictione fluidorum

(Attempt at a theory of the friction of fluids)


Summary:
(based on Clifford A. Truesdell's introduction to Opera Omnia Series II, Volume 12)
This represents an example of Euler's full grasp of the needs that a physical theory must fill. Among other things, he presents many experiments to perform to measure the friction coefficient, as well as to test results. He finds that the friction of water in channels and that of solid bodies follow similar laws. Euler presents all of his manipulations in great detail and provides many numerical examples. He also gives a formula for the expression for the loss of head as a result of a wall of friction, assuming that it is proportional to the average pressure.

According to C. G. J. Jacobi, a treatise with the title “Tentamen theoriae de frictione solidorum (!)” was read to the Berlin Academy on December 2, 1751.

According to the records, it was presented to the St. Petersburg Academy on June 17, 1754.

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