Fluid Mechanics

CHAPTER 1 – PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS

DEFINITION OF FLUID
Fluids are substances that are capable of flowing and conform to the shape of
containing vessels.
Fluid can be classified as liquid or gas. The difference between liquids and gases are:
1. Liquids are incompressible whereas gases are compressible
2. Liquids occupy definite volumes and have free surfaces whereas a given mass
of gas exapands until it occupies all portions of any containing vessel

MASS DENSITY OR SPECIFIC DENSITY (ρ) - is the mass of fluid per unit volume.

MASS, m
MASS DENSITY, ρ =
VOLUME, V

For water
ρ = 1000 kg/m3
= 1 gram/cm3
= 1 kg/liter
= 1.938 slugs/ft3

Density of gases

p
ρ=
RT

where:

P = absolute pressure of gas (KPa , Psi)

R = gas constant (J/kg-°K)
= 0.287 KJ/kg-°K (for air)
T = absolute temperature (°K , °R)

UNIT WEIGHT OR SPECIFIC WEIGHT (γ) – is the weight of fluid per unit volume

WEIGHT, W
SPECIFIC WEIGHT, γ =
VOLUME, V

for water
γ = 9810 N/m3

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 Fluid Mechanics

= 9.81 KN/m3
= 62.40 lb/ft3

for air
γ = 12 N/m3
= 0.012 KN/m3
= 0.0763 lb/ft3

UNIT WEIGHT & MASS DENSITY RELATIONSHIP – The unit weight of a fluid is
equal to the product of the mass density and the gravitational acceleration.

γ = ρg

Where:

g = gravitational acceleration
= 9.81 m/s2
= 32.2 ft/s2

SPECIFIC VOLUME (ѵ) – is the volume of fluid per unit mass or it is the reciprocal of
the mass density.

1
SPECIFIC VOLUME, ν =
MASS DENSITY, 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY OR RELATIVE DENSITY (s) - is the dimensionless ratio of

the unit weight of body to the unit weight of substance taken as standard. Solids and
liquids are referred to water as standard, while gases are often referred to air.

γ fluid ρfluid γ fluid ρfluid

sfluid = = sfluid = =
γ water ρwater γ air air

The specific gravity of some substances at 20°C and 1 atm unless stated
otherwise
Substance Specific Gravity
Water 1.0
Blood (at 37°C) 1.06
Seawater 1.03
Gasoline 0.68
Ethyl alcohol 0.79
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Fluid Mechanics

Mercury 13.6
Balsa wood 0.17
Dense oak wood 0.93
Gold 19.3
Ice (at 0°C) 0.916
Air 0.001204
EXAMPLE 1: A certain fluid has a volume of 1 m3 and a mass of 1500 kg,

a. Find its weight.

b. Find its unit weight.
c. Find its mass density
d. Find its specific volume
e. Find its specific gravity

SOLUTION:
Weight of the fluid
W = mg
kg − m
W = (1500kg)(9.81m / s 2 ) = 14715
s2
W = 14715 N

Unit weight of the fluid

W
=
V
14715N
=
1m3
γ = 14715 N/m 3

Density of the fluid

m
=
V
1500kg
=
1m3
ρ = 1500 kg/m 3

Specific volume of the fluid

1
ν=
ρ
1
ν=
1500kg / m3
ν = 0.000667 m3 /kg

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 Fluid Mechanics

Specific gravity of the fluid


s=
w
1500
s=
1000
s = 1.5

EXAMPLE 2: What is the specific weight of air at 100 KPa and at temperature 24°C?

SOLUTION:
Absolute pressure
Pabs = Pgage + Patm = 100KPa + 101.325KPa
Pabs = 201.325KPa

Absolute temperature
T = 24 + 273 = 297K

Density of air
P
=
RT
KN
201.325
= m2
KN − m
0.287 (297K)
kg − K
kg
 = 2.362 3
m

Specific weight of air

 = g
kg
 = 2.362 3 (9.81m / s 2 )
m
N
γ = 23.17 3
m

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Fluid Mechanics

PROBLEM SET-1
Instruction: Do as required. Present in writing the full details of your answer or
solutions. The grades you earn for each item will be based on correctness,
completeness and clarity of presentation.

SITUATION 1 (1-3): Carbon tetrachloride with a mass of 550 kg is placed in container

with 0.415 m3 in volume.

1. Find its weight.

a. 5.396 KN c. 6.233 KN
b. 4.887 KN d. 7.567 KN
2. Find the unit weight.
a. 10 KN/m3 c. 13 KN/m3
b. 12 KN/m3 d. 11 KN/m3
3. Find the specific Gravity.
a. 1.455 c. 1.334
b. 1.325 d. 1.667

SITUATION 2 (4-6): A certain gas weighs 18 N/m3. Compute its

4. specific density.
a. 1.67 kg/m3 c. 1.55 kg/m3
b. 1.83 kg/m3 d. 1.97 kg/m3
5. specific volume.
a. 0.545 m3/kg c. 0.445 m3/kg
b. 0.667 m3/kg d. 0.334 m3/kg
6. specific gravity.
a. 0.00233 c. 0.00183
b. 0.00445 d. 0.00344

SITUATION 3 (7-9): If the specific volume of a certain gas is 0.65 m3/kg, what is its

7. specific density.
a. 1.61 kg/m3 c. 1.89 kg/m3
b. 1.54 kg/m3 d. 1.86 kg/m3
8. Specific weight.
a. 15.09 N/m3 c. 13.24 N/m3
b. 17.22 N/m3 d. 16.45 N/m3
9. Specific gravity.
a. 0.00154 c. 0.00123
b. 0.00222 d. 0.00167

SITUATION 4 (10-11): The density of oil at 20°C is 850 kg/m3.

10. Find its relative density.

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 Fluid Mechanics

a. 0.75 c. 0.95
b. 0.65 d. 0.85
11. Find its kinematic viscosity if the dynamic viscosity is 5 x 10-3 kg/m-s.
a. 4.67 x 10-6 m2/s c. 5.67 x 10-6 m2/s
-6 2
b. 5.88 x 10 m /s d. 4.17 x 10-6 m2/s

SITUATION 5 (12-13): If an object has a mass 38 kg at sea level,

12. What will be its weight at a point where the acceleration due to gravity is 9.67 m/s 2?
a. 290.56 N c. 372.02 N
b. 372.78 N d. 367.46 N
13. What will be it’s mass at any point?
a. 37.46 kg c. 38.00 kg
b. 41.33 kg d. 40.00 kg
14. If the specific volume of a certain fluid is 0.85 m3/kg, what is its specific weight?
a. 13.22 N/m3 c. 11.54 N/m3
3
b. 13.74 N/m d. 12.14 N/m3
15. Determine the specific volume of a certain gas if it’s relative density is 1.25.
a. 0.354 m3/kg c. 0.654 m3/kg
b. 0.247 m3/kg d. 0.733 m3/kg

SITUATION 6 (16-17): A body requires a force of 150 N to accelerate it at a rate of

0.20 m/s2.

16. Determine the mass of the body in kilograms.

a. 750 kg c. 650 kg
b. 850 kg d. 350 kg
17. Determine the mass of the body in slugs.
a. 55.44 slugs c. 58.33 slugs
b. 51.41 slugs d. 47.22 slugs

SITUATION 7 (18-20): A net force of 50 lb is applied to the body having a weight of

100 lb. Determine,

18. It’s weight in Newton

a. 535.4 N c. 622.2 N
b. 444.8 N d. 378.6 N
19. It’s mass in kilograms.
a. 45.34 kg c. 34.22 kg
b. 62.34 kg d. 38.78 kg
20. The rate of acceleration in meter per second per second.
a. 4.344 m/s2 c. 5.110 m/s2
b. 5.670 m/s2 d. 4.904 m/s2

SITUATION 8 (21-22): One cubic foot of glycerin has a mass of 2.55 slugs.

21. Find its specific weight in both pounds per cubic foot.

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Fluid Mechanics

a. 93.44 lb/ft3 c. 82.14 lb/ft3

b. 63.94 lb/ft3 d. 76.55 lb/ft3
22. Find its specific weight in both kilonewtons per cubic meter.
a. 12.91 KN/m3 c. 13.81 KN/m3
3
b. 11.91 KN/m d. 14.81 KN/m3
23. The volume of rock is found to be 0.0002 m3. If the rock’s specific gravity is 2.6,
what is its weight in newton?
a. 6.09 N c. 5.09 N
b. 7.09 N d. 4.09 N

SITUATION 9 (24-26): A certain gasoline weighs 48 lb/ft3.

24. Compute its mass density.

a. 1.39 slugs/ft3 c. 1.49 slugs/ft3
b. 1.59 slugs/ft3 d. 1.69 slugs/ft3
25. Compute its specific volume.
a. 0.871 ft3/slug c. 0.771 ft3/slug
3
b. 0.671 ft /slug d. 0.571 ft3/slug
26. Compute its specific gravity.
a. 0.869 c. 0.569
b. 0.769 d. 0.669
27. If the object has a mass of 5 kg at sea level, what would its mass be at a location
where the acceleration due to gravity is 9.69 m/s2.
a. 5.062 kg c. 5.00 kg
b. 48.45 kg d. 49.05 kg
28. What would be the weight of a 4-kg mass on a planet where the acceleration due to
gravity is 10.00 m/s2.
a. 40.00 N c. 30.00 N
b. 50.00 N d. 60.00 N

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 Fluid Mechanics

VISCOSITY – is the property of fluid which determines the amount of its resistance to a
shearing stress. Viscosity is due to interaction between fluid molecules. A perfect fluid
would have no viscosity. There is no perfect fluid, but gasses show less variation in
viscosity than liquids. For liquids, the viscosity increases with the temperature. Water is
one of the less viscous liquid.

Consider two large parallel plates a small distance “y” apart, the space between the
plates being filled with a fluid.

FIGURE1–1:
U

V
F

y dy
dV

To keep the upper plate moving with constant velocity ‘”U”, a constant force “F” is
needed to be applied with direction along that plate. Thus there must exist a viscous
interaction between the plate and fluid, manifest as a drag on the former and a shear force
on the later. The fluid in contact with the upper plate will move at constant velocity “U”,
and the fluid in contact with the fixed plate will have zero velocity. If distance “y” and
velocity “U” are not too great, the velocity profile is linear. Experiment have shown that
the shear force “F” varies with the area of plate “A”, with velocity “U” and inversely
proportional with distance “y”.

F ∝ AU / y

Considering similar triangles, U/y = dV/dy

A(dV) F (dV)
F∝ , ∝ ,
dy A dy

but, F/A = τ

dV 
=k , k=
dy dV / dy

And the constant of proportionality “k” is then called the absolute viscosity “μ”

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Fluid Mechanics

Dynamic or absolute viscosity (μ)

τ
μ= (Pa-s or poise)
dv/dy

Kinematic viscosity (ѵ)

μ
ν= (m2/s or stoke)
ρ

NOTE:

1 poise = 1 dyne-sec/cm2
= 0.1 Pa-sec
1 stoke = 1 cm2/s

SURFACE TENSION OF A FLUID - from inside the liquid to the surface to form a
new unit area of that surface. The pressure inside a droplet of a liquid formed by the
surface tension is shown from the equation below.

4σ
p=
d

Where:

P = pressure (Pa , Psf)

σ = surface tension (N/m, lb/ft)
d = diameter of the droplets ( m , ft)

CAPILLARITY – it is the rise and fall of a fluid in a capillarity tube which is caused by
the surface tension and depends on the relative magnitudes of the cohesion of a liquid and
the adhesion of the liquid to the walls of the containing vessel. Liquids rises when they
wet (adhesion > cohesion) and fall in a tubes when they do not wet (adhesion <
cohesion). Capillarity is important when using tubes smaller than about 9.5 mm in
diameter. The strength of the capillary effect is quantified by the contact (or
wetting) angle θ, defined as the angle that the tangent to the liquid surface makes
with the solid surface at the point of contact. The surface tension force acts along
this tangent line toward the solid surface. A liquid is said to wet the surface when θ
< 90° and not to wet the surface when θ > 90°

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 Fluid Mechanics

FIGURE 1–2: The contact angle for wetting and non-wetting fluids

θ
θ

Wetting fluid, θ < 90˚ Non-wetting fluid, θ <<90˚

FIGURE 1–3: Capillary Rise and Capillary Depression

σ
θ θ

h
θ

Capillary Rise Capillary Depression

Considering the free body diagram shown

Let: F = force due to surface tension

W = weight of the capillary volume σ F
θ
Force due to surface tension:
F =  cos()( d ) = d cos()
h
Weight of the capillary volume
 
W = V =  d2h = d2h
4 4 W

 Fv = 0 d
F=W
 2
d cos() = d h
4
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Fluid Mechanics

1
 cos() = dh
4
1
 cos() = dh
4
4 cos()
h=
d

4σcosθ
h=
γd

Where:
h = capillary rise or depression (mm , inch)
σ = surface tension (N/m ,lb/ft)
d = diameter of the tube (mm, inch)
γ = unit weight of fluid (N/m3 , lb/ft3)

for water
θ = 0° (Complete wetting)
for merc6ury
θ = 140°

BULK MODULUS OF ELASTICITY (K) - expresses the compressibility of the fluid.

It is the ratio of the change in unit pressure to the corresponding volume change per unit
volume.

ΔP
K= (Pa, psi)
-ΔV/V

where:
∆p = change in pressure
∆V = change in volume
V = volume

BOYLES LAW = if the temperature of a mass of gas remains constant, the absolute
pressure of the gas varies inversely with the volume.

p1 V1 = p2 V2

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 Fluid Mechanics

EXAMPLE 1: Determine the surface tension in water having a pressure of 10 Pa if the

diameter of a tube is 1.5 cm.

SOLUTION:
Given:
p = 10 Pa = 10 N/m2 = 10 ⨯10-6 N/mm2
d = 1.5 cm = 15 mm

Surface tension, σ
4
p=
d
pd
=
4

=
( )
10  10−6 (15)
4
σ = 3.75×10 -6 N/mm

EXAMPLE 2: Compute the capillary depression for mercury in a capillary tube 3 mm in

diameter if σ = 0.514 N/m.

SOLUTION:
Given:
σ = 0.514 N/m
d = 3 mm = 0.003 m

Capillary depression for mercury

4 cos()
h=
d
for mercury, θ = 140˚
4(0.514)cos(140)
h=
(9810  13.6)(0.003)
h = -0.00394 m = -3.94 mm

EXAMPLE 3: Determine the capillary rise of a certain fluid in a capillarity tube having
a diameter of 2.5 mm if its wetting angle and surface tension are 90° and 0.0756 N/m
respectively.

SOLUTION:
Given:
σ = 0.0756 N/m
d = 2.5 mm = 0.0025 m
θ = 90˚

Capillary rise of the fluid

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Fluid Mechanics

4 cos()
h=
d
4(0.0756N / m)cos(90)
h=
 (0.0025m)
h=0

EXAMPLE 4: A liquid compressed in a cylinder has a volume of 1000 cm3 at 1 MN/m2

and a volume of 995 cm3 at 2 MN/m2. What is its bulk modulus of elasticity (K)?

SOLUTION:
Given: V1 = 1000 cm3, P1 = 1 MPa
V2 = 995 cm3, P2 = 2 MPa

Bulk modulus of elasticity

P P −P
K= = 2 1
V V − V1
− − 2
V V1
2MPa − 1MPa
K=
995cm3 − 1000cm3
−
1000cm3
K = 200 MPa

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 Fluid Mechanics

PROBLEM SET-2
Instruction: Do as required. Present in writing the full details of your answer or
solutions. The grades you earn for each item will be based on correctness,
completeness and clarity of presentation.

1. What is the capillary depression of mercury in inches at 68°F (σ = 0.032 lb/ft) to be

expected in a 0.05 inches-diameter tube?
a. 0.444 inch c. 0.333 inch
b. 0.467 inch d. 0.222 inch
2. Calculate the height of which the water rise in a capillarity tube of radius 1.4 mm if
σ = 0.0728 N/m.
a. 10.61 mm c. 12.33 mm
b. 14.22 mm d. 9.76 mm

SITUATION 1(3-5): Oil having a specific gravity of 0.85 has a kinematic viscosity of
1.243 x 10-6 m2/s.

3. What is the value of the absolute viscosity in Pa-s?

a. 1.078 x 10-3 c. 1.018 x 10-3
b. 1.057 x 10-3 d. 1.027 x 10-3
4. How many strokes is equivalent to 1.243 x 10-6 m2/s?
a. 0.03335 c. 0.01234
b. 0.04214 d. 0.04067
5. If the viscosity is 0.0154 strokes, what is the equivalent kinematic viscosity in m2/s
a. 1.54 x 10-9 c. 1.54 x 10-6
-3
b. 1.54 x 10 d. 1.54 x 10-12

6. Determine the capillary depression for mercury in a glass capillary tube 3 mm in

diameter if its surface tension is 0.942 N/m.
a. 8.21 mm c. 7.21 mm
b. 6.21 mm d. 9.21 mm

7. The kinematic viscosity unit of 1 sq-ft per second is equivalent to how many strokes.
a. 867 c. 929
b. 1005 d. 765

8. Compute the numerical factor for converting foot-pound-second units of dynamic

viscosity to poises.
a. 412 c. 369
b. 479 d. 238

9. Find the modulus of elasticity of a liquid if a pressure of 1033.93 Kpa applied to

0.283 m3 of liquid causes a volume reduction of 0.000567 m3.
a. 444.06 MPa c. 516.07 MPa
b. 723.33 MPa d. 667.17 MPa

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Fluid Mechanics

10. If K = 2100 Mpa is the bulk modulus of elasticity of water, what pressure is required
to reduce a volume by 0.6 percent?
a. 12.6 MPa c. 14.7 MPa
b. 15.11 MPa d. 10.36 MPa

11. A rigid steel container is partially filled with liquid at 14 atm. The volume of liquid
is 1.232 lit. At a pressure of 29 atm., the volume of liquid is 1.231lit. Find the
average bulk modulus of elasticity of the liquid over the given range of pressure if
the temperature after compression is allowed to return to its initial value.
a. 2.111 GPa c. 3.667 GPa
b. 1.555 GPa d. 1.872 GPa

12. The density of fluid has increased by 0.004% when its pressure is increased from
150 KPa to 200 KPa. Determine the bulk modulus of elasticity of this fluid?
a. 1,250,063 Kpa c. 1,333,012 KPa
b. 1,711,234 Kpa d. 978,129 KPa

13. The weight of 20 litre of a liquid is 140 N. Find its specific gravity.
a. 0.715 c. 0.712
b. 0.833 d. 0.671

14. The absolute viscosity of a liquid having a specific gravity of 0.9 is 0.073 poise.
Find its kinematic viscosity in m2/s and in stokes.
a. 0.711 stoke c. 0.811 stoke
b. 0.611 stoke d. 0.911 stoke

15. Determine the diameter of water droplet having an internal pressure of 0.2 KPa
greater than the surrounding atmospheric pressure. The surface tension of water in
contact with air at 20˚C is 0.0736 N/m.
a. 1.472 mm c. 1.712 mm
b. 2.078 mm d. 1.899 mm

16. A vertical gap 23.5 mm wide contains an oil of specific gravity 0.80. A plate
weighing 50 N and of dimension 1.5 m x 1.5 m is lifted midway through the gap. If
the force of 140 N is required to move the plate with a steady velocity of 0.1 m/s,
estimate the kinematic viscosity of the oil filled in the gap. Take the width of the
plate as 1.5 mm.
a. 0.00275 m2/s c. 0.00522 m2/s
2
b. 0.00312 m /s d. 0.00375 m2/s

17. A glass tube 2.5 mm in diameter contains a mercury column with water above the
mercury. The surface tension of mercury in contact with water is 0.363 N/m. What
will be the capillary depression of mercury? Take contact angle, = 130˚.

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 Fluid Mechanics

a. 2.88 mm (rise) c. 2.11 mm (fall)

b. 2.88 mm (fall) d. 2.11 mm (rise)

18. The volume flow meter kept at the delivery side of a blower recorded a value of 6
m3/s, when the pressure reading and the temperature reading at the delivery side
show 1.5 bar (abs) and 20˚C respectively. If the kinematic viscosity is 1 x 10 -5 m2/s,
determine the dynamic viscosity. Assume characteristic gas constant for air as 287
(N-m)/(kg-˚K).
a. 0.0000178 Pa-s c. 0.0000311 Pa-s
b. 0.0000122 Pa-s d. 0.0000467 Pa-s

19. A liquid compressed in a container has a volume of 1.5 liter at a pressure of 1 MPa
and a volume of 1.255 liter at a pressure of 2 MPa what is the bulk modulus of
elasticity of the liquid?
a. 6.12 c. 7.12
b. 5.12 d. 8.12

20. Find the modulus of elasticity of a liquid if a pressure of 1023 KPa applied to 0.283
𝑚3 of a liquid causes a volume reduction to 0.000567 𝑚3 .
a. 510.6 MPa c. 510.6 MPa
b. 510.6 MPa d. 510.6 MPa

21. An oil film of viscosity μ and thickness h lies between a solid wall and a circular
disk, as shown in the figure. The disk is rotated steadily at angular velocity ω.
Noting that both velocity and shear stress vary with radius r, derive a formula for the
torque M required to rotate the disk. Neglect air drag.

R
oil

a. R 2 / 3h c.
R 2 / 2h

b. R 2 / 4h d. R 2 / h

22. A cylinder of 0.122 m radius rotates concentrically inside a fixed cylinder of 0.128
m radius. Both cylinders are 0.305 m long. Determine the viscosity of the liquid that
fills the space between the cylinders if a torque of 0.881 N-m is required to maintain
an angular velocity of 60 revolutions per minute.
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Fluid Mechanics

a. 0.230 Pa-s c. 0.230 Pa-s

b. 0.230 Pa-s d. 0.230 Pa-s

23. A steel sphere with a diameter of 0.250 m is submerged in the ocean to a depth of
500.0 m. What is the percentage change in the volume of the sphere? The bulk
modulus of steel is 160 x 109 Pa.
a. 0.0031% c. 0.045%
b. 0.33% d. 0.55%

24. A sealed tank contains oxygen at 27°C at a pressure of 2 atm. If the temperature
increases to 100°C, what will be the pressure inside the tank?
a. 4.92 atm c. 4.29 atm
b. 2.49 atm d. 9.24 atm

25. A volume of 400 cc of air is measured at a pressure of 740 mm Hg abs and a

temperature of 18°C. What will be the volume at 760 mm Hg and 0°C?
a. 376 cc c. 326 cc
b. 356 cc d. 366 cc

26. The pressure of the nitrogen gas thermometer is 76 cm at 0°C. What is the
temperature of a liquid in which the bulb of the thermometer is immersed when the
pressure is seen to be 87.7 cm?
a. 34°C c. 45°C
b. 60°C d. 90°C

27. A transportation company specializes in the shipment of pressurized gaseous

materials. An order is received for 100 liters of a particular gas at STP (32°F and 1
atm). What minimum volume tank is necessary to transport the gas at 80°F and a
maximum pressure of 8 atm?
a. 16 liters c. 14 liters
b. 10 liters d. 12 liters

28. A 20 liter sample of gas exerts a pressure of 1 atm at 25°C. If t is expanded into a 40
liter vessel that is held at 100°C, what will be its final pressure?
a. 0.50 atm c. 1.0 atm
b. 0.315 atm d. 0.63 atm

29. A waterproof ball made of rubber with a bulk modulus of 6.309 x 107 N/m2 is
submerged under water to a depth of 55.93 m. What is the fractional change in the
volume of the ball?
a. 0.0067 c. 0.0097
b. 0.0087 d. 0.0057

30. A waterproof ball made of rubber with a bulk modulus of 8.141 x 107 N/m2 is
submerged under water. The fractional change in the volume of the ball is 6.925 x
10-3. To what depth is the ball submerged?
a. 55.47 m c. 53.47 m
b. 51.47 m d. 57.47 m
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 Fluid Mechanics

31. A waterproof rubber ball is submerged under water to a depth of 59.01 m. The
fractional change in the volume of the ball is 2.937 x 10 -2. What is the bulk modulus
of the rubber ball?
a. 1.871 x 107 Pa c. 1.671 x 107 Pa
7
b. 1.971 x 10 Pa d. 1.771 x 107 Pa

32. A thin plate is separated from two fixed plates by very viscous liquids μ1 and μ2,
respectively, as shown in the figure. The plate spacings h1 and h2 are unequal, as
shown. The contact area is A between the center plate and each fluid. Assuming a
linear velocity distribution in each fluid, derive the force F required to pull the plate
at velocity V. answer,

h1 μ1

h2 μ2

( )
a. F = (1 / h1 ) + (2 / h2 ) Av

b. F = (( h ) + ( h )) Av
1 1 2 2

c. F = (( / h ) + ( / h )) Av
2 1 1 2

d. F = (( / h ) + ( / h )) Av
1 2 2 1

33. A disk of radius R rotates at an angular velocity ω inside a disk-shaped container

filled with oil of viscosity μ, as shown in the figure. Assuming a linear velocity
profile and neglecting shear stress on the outer disk edges, derive a formula for the
viscous torque on the disk. answer,
ω

a. M = R 4 / h
h
b. M = 2R 4 / h
c. M = 3R 4 / h h
d. M = 4R / h 4
R R

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Fluid Mechanics

34. The device in the figure is called a cone-plate viscometer. The angle of the cone is
very small, so that sinθ = θ, and the gap is filled with the test liquid. The torque M to
rotate the cone at a rate ω is measured. Assuming a linear velocity profile in the
fluid film, derive an expression for fluid viscosity μ as a function of (M, R, ω, and
θ).

1Msin() ω
a. =
3R 3

3Msin()
b. =
2R 3
fluid

2Msin() θ θ
c. =
3R 3
R R
5Msin()
d. =
2R 3

19