device that moves fluids (liquids or gases) by mechanical action
types: centrifugal, positive displacement (piston, gear, peristaltic), vacuum
centrifugal: rotating impeller (wheel) converts kinetic energy to pressure
positive displacement: traps fixed volume and forces it through outlet
critical for irrigation, municipal water supply, industrial processes
the heart is a biological pump: four-chamber positive displacement
powered by engine or electric motor
hydraulic systems use pumps to transmit force through confined fluid
vacuum pumps enabled the discovery of semiconductor physics and space telescope optics
energy cost of pumping is a major factor in agriculture and construction