physics

FLUID DYNAMICS

Real-time 2D Navier-Stokes solver. Stir the fluid, visualize vortices, and explore incompressible flow dynamics.

0.0001
0.0001
0.999
1.0×

How it works

Stable Fluids (Jos Stam)
Simulates incompressible 2D flow using the Navier-Stokes equations. Each frame: (1) add velocity from mouse, (2) diffuse velocity (viscosity), (3) project (enforce incompressibility), (4) advect velocity and density along flow field.

Reynolds Number: Re = ρvL/μ. Low Re = smooth laminar flow; high Re = chaotic turbulent vortices.

Controls: Drag mouse to stir. Viscosity controls resistance (honey-like vs inviscid). Obstacles create vortex shedding. Wind tunnel mode shows Karman vortex streets.