NTU ESOE 2006 – Fluid Mechanics – 2023 Fall – Homework#1

SOLUTIONS

1. Which famous person in fluid mechanics is your team named after? Give a brief
description (200-300 words) of this person and mention at least one major contribution
this person made towards the understanding of fluid mechanics.

2. On average, an adult person breathes in about 7.0 liters of air per minute. Assuming
atmospheric pressure and 20°C air temperature, estimate the mass of air in kilograms
that a person breathes in per day.

Analysis

The total volume of air breathed in per day is

𝐿 𝑚𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑟 1𝑚
𝑉 = (7.0 ) (60 ) (24 )( ) = 10.08 m3 .
𝑚𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦 1000𝐿
We use the ideal gas law to calculate the total mass of air,
𝑃𝑉 (101.325 kPa)(10.08m3 ) 𝑘𝑁/m2 𝑘𝐽
𝑃𝑉 = 𝑚𝑅𝑇 → 𝑚 = = (1 ) (1 ) = 12.140 kg.
𝑅𝑇 (0.287 𝑘𝐽 ) (293.15 K) 𝑘𝑃𝑎 𝑘𝑁 ⋅ 𝑚
𝑘𝑔 ⋅ 𝐾
Discussion This is a lot more air than you probably thought! We breathe in more air (in
terms of mass) than the mass of food that we eat!

3. What is a Newtonian fluid? Is water a Newtonian fluid?

Analysis
Fluids whose shear stress is linearly proportional to the velocity gradient (shear strain)
are called Newtonian fluids. Most common fluids such as water, air, gasoline, and oils
are Newtonian fluids.
Discussion In the differential analysis of fluid flow, only Newtonian fluids are considered
in this textbook.

4. The viscosity of a fluid is to be measured by a viscometer constructed of two 75-cm-long

concentric cylinders. The outer diameter of the inner cylinder is 15 cm, and the gap
between the two cylinders is 1 mm. The inner cylinder is rotated at 300 rpm, and the
torque is measured to be 0.8 N·m. Determine the viscosity of the fluid.
 Assumptions

1 The inner cylinder is completely submerged in oil.

2 The viscous effects on the two ends of the inner cylinder are negligible.
3 The fluid is Newtonian.

Properties The absolute viscosity of oil is given to be 𝜇 = 0.027 𝑁 ⋅ 𝑠/𝑚2.

Analysis

Substituting the given values, the viscosity of the fluid is determined to be

𝑇𝑙 (0.8N ⋅ m)(0.001m)
𝜇= 2 3 = 2 = 0.0128 N ⋅ s/𝑚2 .
4𝜋 𝑅 𝑛̇ 𝐿 4𝜋 (0.075m)3 (300/60s−1 )(0.75m)
Discussion This is the viscosity value at the temperature that existed during the
experiment. Viscosity is a strong function of temperature, and the values can be
significantly different at different temperatures.

5. A thin 30-cm x 30-cm flat plate is pulled at 3 m/s horizontally through a 3.6-mm-thick oil
layer sandwiched between two plates, one stationary and the other moving at a constant
velocity of 0.3 m/s, as shown in the figure below. The dynamic viscosity of the oil is 0.027
Pas. Assuming the velocity in each oil layer to vary linearly, (a) plot the velocity profile
and find the location where the oil velocity is zero and (b) determine the force that needs
to be applied on the plate to maintain this motion.

Assumptions

1 The thickness of the plate is negligible.

2 The velocity profile in each oil layer is linear.

Properties The absolute viscosity of oil is given to be 𝜇 = 0.027 𝑁 ⋅ 𝑠/𝑚2.

Analysis
 (a) The velocity profile in each oil layer relative to the fixed wall is as shown in the figure
below. The point of zero velocity is indicated by point A, and its distance from the lower
plate is determined from geometric considerations (the similarity of the two triangles in
the lower oil layer) to be
2.6 − 𝑦𝐴 3
= → 𝑦𝐴 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟑𝟔𝟒 𝒎𝒎.
𝑦𝐴 0.3

(b) The magnitudes of shear forces acting on the upper and lower surfaces of the plate
are
𝑑𝑢 𝑉−0 𝑠 3 𝑚/𝑠
𝐹𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟,𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 = 𝜏𝑤,𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝐴𝑠 = 𝜇𝐴𝑠 | | = 𝜇𝐴𝑠 = (0.027 𝑁 ⋅ 2 ) (0.3 × 0.3 𝑚2 ) −3
𝑑𝑦 ℎ1 𝑚 10 𝑚
= 7.29 𝑁;
𝑑𝑢 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑤
𝐹𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟,𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝜏𝑤,𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐴𝑠 = 𝜇𝐴𝑠 | | = 𝜇𝐴𝑠
𝑑𝑦 ℎ2
𝑠 3 − (−0.3) 𝑚/𝑠
= (0.027 𝑁 ⋅ 2 ) (0.3 × 0.3 𝑚2 ) = 3.08 𝑁.
𝑚 2.6 × 10−3 𝑚
Noting that both shear forces are in the opposite direction of motion of the plate, we
determine the force F from a force balance on the plate to be

𝐹 = 𝐹𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟,𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 + 𝐹𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟,𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 7.29 + 3.08 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟒 𝑵.

Discussion Note that wall shear is a friction force between a solid and a liquid, and it
acts in the opposite direction of motion.

6. A 1.6-mm-diameter tube is inserted into an unknown liquid whose density is 960 kg/m3,
and it is observed that the liquid rises 5 mm in the tube, making a contact angle of 15°.
Determine the surface tension of the liquid.

Assumptions
1 There are no impurities in the liquid, and no contamination on the surfaces of the glass
tube.
2 The liquid is open to the atmospheric air.
 Properties The density of the liquid is given to be 960 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 .The contact angle is given
to be 15°.

Analysis Substituting the numerical values, the surface tension is determined from the
capillary rise relation to be

𝜌𝑔𝑅ℎ
𝜎𝑠 =
2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙
960𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 0.0016
( ) ( 2 ) ( 2𝑚 ) (0.005𝑚) 1𝑁
𝑚3 𝑠
= ( 𝑚 ) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟗𝟓 𝑵/𝒎
2(𝑐𝑜𝑠15° ) 1𝑘𝑔 ∙ 2
𝑠
Discussion Since surface tension depends on temperature, the value determined is valid
at the liquid’s temperature.

7. A capillary tube is immersed vertically in a water container. Knowing that water starts to
evaporate when the pressure drops below 2 kPa, determine the maximum capillary rise
and tube diameter for this maximum-rise case. Take the contact angle at the inner wall of
the tube to be 6° and the surface tension to be 1.00 N/m.

Assumptions
1. There are no impurities in water, and no contamination on the surfaces of the tube.
2. Water is open to the atmospheric air.

Properties The surface tension is given to be 𝜎𝑠 = 1 𝑁/𝑚.

Analysis At the liquid side of the meniscus𝑃 = 2 𝑘𝑃𝑎. Therefore the capillary rise would
be
𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 − 𝑃 (101325 − 2000) × 103 𝑃𝑎
ℎ= = = 10.12𝑚
𝜌𝑔 (1000𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 )(9.81𝑚/𝑠 2 )
Then the tube diameter needed for this capillary rise is
2𝜎𝑠 2 × (1𝑁/𝑚) × 𝑐𝑜𝑠6°
𝑅= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙 = = 20𝜇𝑚
𝜌𝑔ℎ (1000𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 )(9.81𝑚/𝑠 2 )(10.12𝑚) ≅ 2.0 × 10−5
D = 2R = 𝟒𝟎𝝁𝒎

8. A pressure gage connected to a tank reads 500 kPa at a location where the atmospheric
pressure is 94 kPa. Determine the absolute pressure in the tank.

Solution A pressure gage connected to a tank reads 500 kPa. The

absolute pressure in the tank is to be determined.

Analysis The absolute pressure in the tank is determined from

𝑷𝒂𝒃𝒔 = 𝑷𝒈𝒂𝒈𝒆 + 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒎 = 𝟓𝟎𝟎 + 𝟗𝟒 = 𝟓𝟗𝟒 𝒌𝑷𝒂
9. A diver’s watch resists an absolute pressure of 5.5 bar. At an ocean having density of
1025 kg/m3 and exposing an atmospheric pressure of 1 bar, what depth can maximally
the diver dive to prevent water inlet into his watch? 1 bar = 105 Pa and g = 9.81 m/s2.

Assumptions Water is an incompressible substance, and thus the density does not
change with depth.

Properties The density of water is given to be 𝜌 = 1025 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3.

Analysis The gage pressure is

𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 − 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 5.5 − 1.0 = 4.5 𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 4.5 × 105 𝑃𝑎
Equivalent height of this pressure as a water column, in m, is
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 4.5 × 105 𝑃𝑎
ℎ= = = 44.75 𝑚
𝜌𝑔 1025 × 9.81
Using three significant digits,
ℎ = 44.8 𝑚

10. The water in a tank is pressurized by air, and the pressure is measured by a multifluid
manometer as shown below. Determine the gage pressure of air in the tank if ℎ1 = 0.4
m, ℎ2 = 0.6 m, and ℎ3 = 0.8 m. Take the densities of water, oil, and mercury to be 1000
kg/m3, 850 kg/m3, and 13600 kg/m3, respectively.

Assumptions The air pressure in the tank is uniform (i.e., its variation with elevation is
negligible due to its low density), and thus we can determine the pressure at the air-
water interface.
Properties The densities of mercury, water, and oil are given to be 13,600, 1000, and
850𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 , respectively.
Analysis Starting with the pressure at point 1 at the air-water interface, and moving
along the tube by adding (as we go down) or subtracting (as we go up) the 𝜌𝑔ℎ terms
until we reach point 2, and setting the result equal to 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 since the tube is open to the
atmosphere gives

𝑃1 + 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑔ℎ1 + 𝜌𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑔ℎ2 − 𝜌𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑦 𝑔ℎ3 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚

Solving for 𝑃1

𝑃1 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 − 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑔ℎ1 − 𝜌𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑔ℎ2 + 𝜌𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑦 𝑔ℎ3

Or,

𝑃1 − 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 𝑔(𝜌𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑔ℎ3 − 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ℎ1 − 𝜌𝑜𝑖𝑙 ℎ2 )

Noting that 𝑃1,𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 𝑃1 − 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 and substituting,

𝑃1.𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = (9.81𝑚/𝑠 2 )[(13600𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 )(0.8𝑚) − (1000𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 )(0.4𝑚)

1𝑁 1𝑘𝑃𝑎
−(850𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 )(0.6𝑚)]( 𝑚 )( 1000𝑁 )
1𝑘𝑔 ∙ 2
𝑠 𝑚2
= 𝟗𝟕. 𝟖 𝒌𝑷𝒂
 Discussion Note that jumping horizontally from one tube to the next and realizing that
pressure remains the same in the same fluid simplifies the analysis greatly.

11. The gage pressure of the air in the tank shown below is measured to be 50 kPa.
Determine the differential height h of the mercury column.

Assumptions The air pressure in the tank is uniform (i.e., its variation with elevation is
negligible due to its low density), and thus the pressure at the air-water interface is the
same as the indicated gage pressure.

Properties We take the density of water to be 𝜌𝑤 = 1000𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 . The specific gravities

of oil and mercury are given to be 0.72 and 13.6, respectively.

Analysis Starting with the pressure of air in the tank (point 1), and moving along the
tube by adding (as we go down) or subtracting (as we go up) the terms until we reach
the free surface of oil where the oil tube is exposed to the atmosphere, and setting the
result equal to 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 gives
𝑃1 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔ℎ𝑤 − 𝜌𝐻𝑔 𝑔ℎ𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚
Rearranging
𝑃1 − 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 𝜌𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙 + 𝜌𝐻𝑔 𝑔ℎ𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 𝑔ℎ𝑤
Or,
𝑃1,𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒
= 𝜌𝑠,𝑜𝑖𝑙 ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙 + 𝜌𝑠,𝐻𝑔 ℎ𝐻𝑔 − ℎ𝑤
𝜌𝑤 𝑔
 Substituting,
𝑚
50𝑘𝑃𝑎 1000𝑘𝑔 ∙ 2
( 𝑠 ) = 0.72 × (0.75𝑚) + 13.6 × ℎ − 0.3𝑚
𝐻𝑔
(1000𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 )(9.81𝑚/𝑠 2 ) 1𝑘𝑃𝑎 ∙ 𝑚2

Solving for ℎ𝐻𝑔 gives ℎ𝐻𝑔 =0.357 m.

12. A hydraulic lift is to be used to lift a 2500 kg weight by putting a weight of 25 kg on a
piston with a diameter of 10 cm. Determine the diameter of the piston on which the
weight is to be placed.

Analysis Noting that pressure is force per unit area, the pressure on the smaller piston
is determined from

𝐹1 𝑚𝑔 (25𝑘𝑔)(9.81𝑚/𝑠 2 ) 1𝑘𝑁 31.23𝑘𝑁

𝑃1 = = = ( 𝑚 ) = 𝑚2 = 31.23𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐴1 𝜋𝐷12 /4 𝜋(0.10𝑚)2 /4 1000𝑘𝑔 ∙ 2
𝑠

From Pascal’s principle, the pressure on the greater piston is equal to that in the smaller
piston. Then, the needed diameter is determined from

9.81𝑚
𝐹2 𝑚𝑔 𝑘𝑁 (2500𝑘𝑔) ( 𝑠 2 ) 1𝑘𝑁
𝑃1 = 𝑃2 = = 2 → 31.23 2 = 2 ( 𝑚)
𝐴2 𝜋𝐷2 𝑚 𝜋𝐷2 1000𝑘𝑔 ∙ 2
4 4 𝑠
→ 𝑫𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝒎

Discussion Note that large weights can be raised by little effort in hydraulic lift by
making use of Pascal’s principle.