ADVANCED ACADEMY OF MATHS & SCIENCE

AAMS Institute CLASS X (Physics Notes) PIYUSH JAIN 

Mechanical Properties of Fluids ( JSP Notes)
According to Pascal's law, pressure applied to any liquid is transmitted undiminished and equally in all directions
throughout the liquid. Hydraulic machines such as hydraulic lift and hydraulic brakes .

A barometer is a scientific simple instrument that is used to measure fluid pressure.

A manometer is an instrument that has a small tube in the shape of a U that is filled with
liquid to measure pressure or flow

Gauge pressure is defined as the fluid pressure which is equal to the difference between
absolute pressure and atmospheric pressure .

Types of Flow of Liquid

1. Streamline Flow The flow of liquid in which each of its particle follows the same path as followed
by the proceeding particles, is called streamline flow.
2. Unsteady Flow : A non-uniform flow is one in which velocity is not constant at a given instant.
3. Turbulent Flow The flow of liquid with a velocity greater than its critical velocity is disordered
and called turbulent flow.
4. Laminar Flow The steady flow of liquid over a horizontal surface in the form of layers of
different velocities, is called laminar flow.
 Critical Velocity
The critical velocity is that velocity of liquid flow, below which its flow is streamlined and above which it
becomes turbulent.

Critical velocity vc = (kη/rρ) where,

 K = Reynold’s number,
 η = coefficient of viscosity of liquid
 r = radius of capillary tube and ρ = density of the liquid.

Reynold’s Number

Reynold’s number is a pure number and it is equal to the ratio of inertial force per unit area to the viscous
force per unit area for flowing fluid.

where, p = density of the liquid and vc = critical velocity.

For pure water flowing in a cylindrical pipe, K is about 1000.

When 0< K< 2000, the flow of liquid is streamlined.
When 2000 < K < 3000, the flow of liquid is variable between streamlined and turbulent.
When K > 3000, the flow of liquid is turbulent.
It has no unit and dimension.

Viscosity

The property of a fluid by virtue of which an internal frictional force acts between its different layers which
opposes their relative motion is called viscosity.

 These internal fluid frictional force is called viscous force.

 Viscous forces are intermolecular forces acting between the molecules of different layers of liquid
moving with different velocities.

where, (dv/dx) = rate of change of velocity with distance called velocity gradient, A = area of cross-section
and η = coefficient of viscosity.

SI unit of η is Nsm-2 or pascal-second or decapoise. Its dimensional formula is [ML-1T-1].

(a)The knowledge of the coefficient of viscosity of different oils and its variation with temperature helps us to select a suitable
lubricant for a given machine.
(b)Viscosity is due to transport of momentum. The value of viscosity (and compressibility) for ideal liquid is zero.
(c)The viscosity of air and of some liquids is utilised for damping the moving parts of some instruments.
(d)The knowledge of viscosity of some organic liquids is used in determining the molecular weight and shape of large organic
moleculars like proteins and cellulose.
(e)Variation of Viscosity : The viscosity of liquids decreases with increase in temperature
 Important Points

 In a pipe the inner layer .central layer) have maximum velocity and the layer in contact with pipe
have least velocity.
 Velocity profile of liquid flow in a pipe is parabolic.

 Solid friction is independent of area of surfaces in contact while viscous force depends on area of
liquid layers.
 A lubricant is chosen according to the nature of machinary. In heavy machines lubricating oils of
high viscosity are used and in light machines low viscosity oils are used.
 The cause of viscosity 1 liquids is the cohesive forces among their molecules while cause of
viscosity in gases is diffusion.
Stoke’s Law

When a small spherical body falls in a long liquid column, then after sometime it falls with a constant
velocity, called terminal velocity. When a small spherical body falls in a liquid column with terminal
velocity then viscous force acting on it is

F = 6πηrv
where, r = radius of the body, v = terminal velocity and η = coefficient of viscosity.

This formula and viscosity on spherical body is called Stoke’s law.

Terminal Velocity : Terminal velocity is defined as the highest constant velocity attained by freely falling object
through a viscous fluid.

where,
 ρ = density of body,
 σ = density of liquid,
 η = coefficient of viscosity of liquid and,
 g = acceleration due to gravity

1. If ρ > ρ0, the body falls downwards.

2. If ρ < ρ0, the body moves upwards with the constant velocity.
3. If po << ρ, v = (2r2ρg/9η)

Importance of Stoke’s Law

1. This law is used in the determination of electronic charge by Millikan in his oil drop experiment.
2. This law helps a man coming down with the help of parachute.
3. This law account for the formation of clouds.
Poiseuille’s Formula

The rate of flow (v) of liquid through a horizontal pipe for steady flow is given by

where, p = pressure difference across the two ends of the tube. r = radius of the tube, n = coefficient of
viscosity and l = length of the tube

Equation of Continuity

If a liquid is flowing in streamline flow in a pipe of non-uniform cross-section area, then rate of flow of
liquid across any cross-section area remains constant.

a1v1 = a2v2 = constant

The velocity of liquid is slower where area of cross-section is larger faster where area of cross- section is
smaller.

Bernoulli’s Theorem

If non-viscous , incompressible and irrotational fluid is flowing in streamlined flow then total energy, i.e.,
sum of pressure energy, kinetic energy and potential energy per unit volume of the liquid remains constant
at every cross-section of the tube.

Mathematically

Limitation of Bernoulli’s : The theorem is applicable to ideal liquid which means fluid must
be streamline (steady flow ) , non-viscous , incompressible and irrotational.
 Applications of Bernoulli’s Theorem
1.The action of carburetor in engines , paintgun, sprayer atomiser , insect sprayer is based on Bernoulli’s theorem.
2. Dynamic lift in aeroplane and Motion of a spinning ball (Magnus effect) is based on Bernoulli theorem.
3. Venturimeter and speed of efflux in based on Bernoulli’s theorem.

Torricelli’s Theorem ( Speed of efflux : out flow from narrow hole )

Velocity of efflux (the velocity with which the liquid flows out from narrow hole) is equal to the velocity acquired by a
falling body through the same vertical distance .

Velocity of efflux, v = √(2gh)

A venturimeter is a device that measures the rate of flow of fluid through a pipe. The
venturimeter's operation is based on Bernoulli's equation and continuity equation.

Surface tension could be defined as the property of the surface of a liquid that allows it to resist an external force,
due to the cohesive nature of the fluid molecules .
Surface tension is the elastic tendency of fluid surfaces that lets insects to float on water.

Formula : Surface tension (S) = Force (F) / length(l) = Workdone / Change in surface area
 Excess Pressure in water drop & saop bubble

Capillary rise or capillarity is a phenomenon in which liquid spontaneously rises or falls in a narrow
space such as a thin tube or in the voids of a porous material .

Angle of contact is defined as the angle between the tangent liquid surface and the solid surface inside fluid .

Ascent Formula is an expression which gives the value of height upto which a liquid rises upward or falls downward in
a capillary tube.
 Energy of a Liquid

A liquid in motion possess three types of energy

(i) Pressure Energy Pressure energy = pV

where, p= pressure of the liquid and V = volume of the liquid.

(iii) kinetic Energy

 Kinetic energy = 1/2ρVv2

 Kinetic energy per unit volume = 1/2ρv2

(iv) Potential Energy

 Potential energy = ρVgh

 Potential energy per unit volume = ρgh

Mechanical Properties of Fluids Imp Questions

1 mark each
1. State Pascal’s law.
2. What is meant by stream line flow?
3. What is an ideal liquid?

2 marks each
4. Identify the expression for
(a) absolute pressure of the gas,
(b) gauge pressure of the gas.
5. Explain the uses of barometer & write its formula .

6. Write some points on mercury , why mercury is so different ?

7. What are limitations of Bernoulli’s theorem?

3 marks each

8. Explain why:
i) The blood pressure in humans is greater at the feet than at the brain.
ii) Surface tension of a liquid is independent of the area of the surface.
iii) Explain the use of venture-meter

9. What is the principle of hydraulic lift? Explain the construction and workingof hydraulic lift.
10.Briefly explain the Viscosity & Stokes law .

5 marks
11.What is terminal velocity? Why does a body falling freely in a medium acquire this velocity? Derive expression for it.

12.Derive a relation of excess pressure inside water bubble & soap bubble with help of surface tension and surface energy of a liquid.

13.State and prove Bernoulli's theorem for steady flow of an ideal fluid. Write Limitation of Bernoulli’s Principle .
14. Answer the following questions
(a) Explain why "A drop of liquid under no external force is always spherical in shape".(1)
(b) Explain and prove Equation of Continuity . (2)
(c) Define coefficient of viscosity and give its SI unit. (1)
(d) What is angle of contact , explain it my making daigarms of water & mercury ? (2)

15. What is capillarity & Expalin & derive Ascent formula of rise in height of water in capillary tubes ?

Numericals :

1.At a depth of 1000 m in an ocean (a) what is the absolute pressure? (b) What is the gauge pressure? (c) Find the force acting on the
window of area 20 cm × 20 cm of a submarine at thisdepth, the interior of which is maintained at sea-level atmospheric pressure.
(The density of sea water is 1.03 × 103 kg m-3 , g = 10 m s–2.)

2. Two syringes of different cross section (without needle) filled with water are connected with a tightly fitted rubber tube filled with
water. Diameters of the smaller piston and larger piston are 1 cm and 3 cm respectively. If a force of 10 N is applied to the smaller
piston then the force exerted on the larger piston is
(a) 90 N (b) 120 N (c)40N (d) None of these

3. A U-tube contains water and methylated spirit separated by mercury. The mercury columns in the two arms are in level with 10.0
cm of water in one arm and 12.5 cm of spirit in the other. What is the specific gravity of spirit ?

4.The terminal velocity of a copper ball of radius 2.0 mm falling through a tank of oil at 20°C is 6.5 cm/ s. Compute the viscosity of the
oil at 20°C. Density of oil is 1.5 x103 kg m-3, density of copper is 8.9 x 103 kg m-3 .

5. What is the pressure inside the drop of mercury of radius 3.00 mm at room temperature ? Surface tension of mercury at that
temperature (20 °C) is 4.65 × 10–1 N m–1. The atmospheric pressure is 1.01 × 105 Pa. Also give the excess pressure inside the drop.

6. What is the excess pressure inside a bubble of soap solution of radius 5.00 mm, given that the surface tension of soap solution at
the temperature (20 °C) is 2.50 × 10–2 N m–1 ? If an air bubble of the same dimension were formed at depth of 40.0 cm inside a
container containing the soap solution (of relative density 1.20), what would be the pressure inside the bubble ? (1 atmospheric
pressure is 1.01 × 105 Pa).

7. The cylindrical tube of a spray pump has a cross-section of 8.0 cm2 one end of which has 40 fine holes each of diameter 1.0 mm. If
the liquid flow inside the tube is 1.5 m min–1, what is the speed of ejection of the liquid through the holes ?

8. In a test experiment on a model aeroplane in a wind tunnel, the flow speeds on the upper and lower surfaces of the wing are
70 m s–1and 63 m s-1 respectively. What is the lift on the wing if its area is 2.5 m2 ? Take the density of air to be 1.3 kg m–3 .

9.When a body falls in air, the resistance of air depends to a great extent on the shape of the body. 3 different shapes are given.
Identify the combination of air resistances which truly represents the physical situation? (The cross-sectional areas are the
same)

a) 1<2<3 b) 2<3<1 c) 3<2<1 d) 3<1<2

10. What change in surface energy will be noticed when a drop of radius 𝑅 splits up into 1000
droplets of radius 𝑟, surface tension𝑇?
a) 4 𝜋 𝑅 2 𝑇 b) 7 𝜋 𝑅 2 𝑇 c) 16 𝜋 𝑅 2 𝑇 d) 36 𝜋 𝑅 2 𝑇