When a fluid flows past a solid object, a thin layer of fluid adheres to the object's surface due to:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The continuity equation for steady, incompressible flow states that the mass flow rate is the product of the fluid's density, velocity, and cross-sectional area. Hence, ṁ = ρvA. Choice A is incorrect because the mass flow rate can be determined using the given formula. Choice C is incorrect as Bernoulli's principle does not directly relate to the mass flow rate calculation. Choice D is incorrect as the equation of state is not needed to calculate the mass flow rate in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct formula for the pressure at a certain depth in a fluid according to the hydrostatic equation is P = ρgh. Here, ρ represents the fluid's density, g is the gravitational acceleration, and h is the depth. This formula shows that pressure increases linearly with the density of the fluid, the acceleration due to gravity, and the depth. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately represent the relationship between pressure, density, gravitational acceleration, and depth in a static fluid.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred or converted from one form to another, ensuring energy conservation in any system. Choice A is incorrect because it goes against the principle of energy conservation. Choice B is incorrect as it refers to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy of an isolated system always increases. Choice D is incorrect because the temperature of a system is not directly proportional to its entropy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The second law of thermodynamics asserts that the entropy of an isolated system (or the combined system and surroundings) will always increase in a spontaneous process, reflecting an increase in disorder. Therefore, the correct answer is that the total entropy of the system and surroundings increases. Choice B is incorrect because entropy always tends to increase in a spontaneous process, as dictated by the second law of thermodynamics. Choice C is incorrect as entropy typically increases in natural processes. Choice D is incorrect because the second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of the system and surroundings always increases in a spontaneous process.