The Use of Computer Visualization in Teaching Advanced Fluid Mechanics and Heat and Mass Transfer

The use of contour flood plots and color digital movies is investigated for teaching

fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and mass transfer at the first-year graduate student level.

The color visualizations are intended to not only stimulate curiosity

but also encourage enthusiasm and determination in learning difficult material.

Although there is a significant amount of finite-difference material, the focus is

on analytical solutions. In particular, the mathematical problems involve error

functions and Fourier series, which generally prove uninteresting and unpopular.

Students are encouraged to produce the visualizations themselves, in addition to

being provided with digital results in various forms. Excel can be used to generate

both the analytical and finite difference calculations, and Powerpoint can

produce movies from individual frames. Student response is positive, although

quantifying their reaction is difficult based on the small class sizes. Not surprisingly,

the use of color appeals to students and adds to their interest. In addition, students

claim increased understanding with contour plots and movies, but the visualizations

should be used in conjunction with more traditional graphs.

However, the impact on motivation due to color presentation is harder to

establish. Interestingly, both graduate and senior undergraduate students showed

about equal preference for the rainbow and viridis color palettes.