MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

OF FLUIDS
Ms. Asha Mathew
 FLUID
any substance that can flow

Ideal Fluid
 Incompressible: constant
density
 Flow is irrotational: smooth,
without turbulence
 Non-viscous: internal friction
is absent
 Steady flow: velocity at each
point is constant
 Solids Vs Fluids
SOLIDS

Oppose shear stress Can be subjected only

by developing to normal compressive
restoring force stress (pressure)

Deform and start Weak resistance to

flowing(on deformation
application of Permanently deformed
certain initial stress)

FLUIDS
Flow
Take the shape of the
container
PRESSURE
 Fluids At Rest- Hydrostatics
fluid at rest exerts force on wall of container

acting on unit
area

Pressure
SI Unit N/m2
1N/m2 = 1Pa
Scalar Quantity
 Pressure Due To A Liquid Column

Force exerted by liquid column

Pressure exerted by liquid column on bottom of the cylinder

A-Cross sectional area of

cylinder

h- height of cylinder

ρ - density of fluid
 ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
 what is atmospheric pressure ??

Weight of air column of unit area of cross

section
Why does atmospheric pressure decrease as we move to higher
altitudes??
Height of air column
decreases

What is normal atmospheric pressure??

Atmospheric pressure at sea
level.
h=8km

Vacuum ???
Region where gas pressure< atmospheric pressure
 Absolute Pressure And Gauge Pressure
Forces acting on the cylinder
 – acts downwards at the top of the cylinder – due to
weight of the water above
 - acts upwards at the bottom of the cylinder – due to
the water below
 – weight of the water in the cylinder

Water in static equilibrium ……..(1)

Let

Pressure Imaginary cylinder

inside
liquid  Base area :

 Height :
 Pressure at depth h below liquid surface

Let top of imaginary cylinder be at the surface of the

liquid

atmospheric
pressure
gauge pressure
absolute pressure
𝒑 𝟐 =𝒑 𝟏 +𝝆 𝒈 (𝒙 𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 )
Absolute Pressure And Gauge
Pressure
 Atmospheric pressure at distance d above liquid
surface

Let top of imaginary cylinder be above liquid surface

and its base at the liquid surface

𝒑 𝟐 =𝒑 𝟏 +𝝆 𝒈 (𝒙 𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 )
Hydrostatic Paradox
Hydrostatic Paradox –
Explained!!
 Pascal’s Law

…states that the pressure applied at

any point of an enclosed fluid at rest

is transmitted equally and

undiminished to every point of the

fluid and also on the walls of the

container, provided the effect of

gravity is neglected.
APPLICATIONS OF PASCAL’S LAW

Hydraulic Lift
APPLICATIONS OF PASCAL’S LAW

Hydraulic Brakes
MEASUREMENT OF PRESSURE
Mercury Barometer
Open Tube Manometer
SURFACE TENSION
 Molecular Theory Of Surface Tension
• Intermolecular force – between molecules
• Adhesive force – between molecules of different substances
• Cohesive force – between molecules of same substance
(strongest in solids & weakest in gases)

• Range of molecular force

• Sphere of influence
 Molecular Theory Of Surface Tension
• Surface film

• Free surface of a liquid

 …Molecular Theory Of Surface Tension
• Molecule A – deep within liquid
 Sphere of influence completely within liquid
 Only cohesive forces
 Equal cohesive force in all directions
 Net cohesive force = 0
• Molecule B – within surface film

larger
part in large small
liquid
cohesive adhesive
Sphere force force
of molecul
influence e pulled XY – free surface of liquid
into the
smalle liquid
r part
in air
X’Y’ – inner surface
parallel to XY
XX’=YY’=R
• Molecule C – exactly on the surface film

In sphere of influence All molecules are pulled into the

liquid
 …Molecular Theory Of Surface Tension
In conclusion
All molecules in surface film are acted upon by unbalanced net cohesive
force
Net cohesive force directed into the liquid
All molecules in surface film are pulled into the liquid
Total no. of molecules in the surface film is minimised

Surface film is under tension & behaves like a stretched membrane

Surface Tension

force due to surface tension acts tangential to

the free surface of the liquid
 Surface Tension

….T, is defined as the tangential force

acting per unit length on both sides of
an imaginary line drawn on the free
surface of the liquid.

SI unit

Dimension
 Surface Energy

• Molecule A experiences larger force

• To bring A to surface work has to be done
• Surface molecules posses extra potential
energy

Surface Energy

• For equilibrium – min. potential energy

• Liquid tries to reduce area of the surface
film
 Relation Between Surface Energy And Surface Tension

Due to soap film, each arm experiences inward force

Force on arm QR as it moves towards side PS

F’- an external force applied isothermally to arm QR P’PSS’ – a rectangular

frame
dx- distance moved under influence of F’ QR – movable arm

work done

T – surface energy per unit area

 Angle Of Contact

…the angle between the

tangents
drawn to the free surface of the
liquid
and surface of the solid at the
point of
contact, measured within the
liquid.
 Concave Meniscus – acute angle of contact

A – molecule under consideration

 (acts horizontal since wall is vertical)
 (at around to either surface)
 (directed into solid since adhesive force is
large)
 For stability of liquid surface - net force should be kerosene in a glass bottle
normal to the liquid surface at all points ordinary water and glass

 Hence liquid is pulled up at the liquid solid

interface such that the tangent AT is
Concave Meniscus & Acute angle of Contact
perpendicular to
 Convex Meniscus - obtuse angle of contact

• (acts horizontal since wall is vertical)

• (directed into liquid since cohesive force is large)

• For stability of liquid surface : net force should be normal to

the liquid surface at all points

• Hence liquid is pulled down at the liquid solid interface such

that the tangent AT is perpendicular to mercury and glass
ordinary water and
glass

Convex Meniscus & Obtuse Angle of Contact

 Zero Angle Of Contact

• Liquid completely wets the solid

• Very few liquid molecules near contact region

• Negligible cohesive force ()

• For stability of liquid surface : net force should be

normal to the liquid surface at all points pure water and clean glass

• Hence AT is along the wall within the liquid

Angle of contact – zero

 ANGLE OF CONTACT -
 (acts horizontal since wall is vertical)

 (at exactly to either surface)

 (vertical along solid surface)

pure water and pure silver

 Shape Of Liquid Drops On A Solid Surface
For equilibrium,

If
is +ve

If
is -ve

If
is 1

If
- not possible liquid spreads over surface
 Factors Affecting Angle Of Contact And Surface
Tension

Angle of Contact Surface Tension

 Nature of both the liquid and  Impurity

 Soluble,
the solid that are in contact
 Sparingly soluble,
 Impurity in the liquid
 Insoluble,

 Temperature of the liquid  Temperature

** molten Cu and molten Cd

 Excess Pressure Across Free Surface Of A Liquid

and are in opposite directions

and add up
net downward force responsible pressure is same on both sides
pressure inside liquid >
for pressure inside liquid < of the surface
pressure outside liquid
Pressure inside liquid < pressure
outside liquid

Pressure is greater on the concave side

 Formation Of Drops & Bubbles
Initial surface area
Final surface area

Increase in surface area

Work done in increasing surface area
pi – pressure inside the drop
po – pressure outside
But, & Excess force
spherical drop – pi > po
(pi-po) – excess pressure inside the drop
As bubble is formed radius goes from

** For a soap bubble – 2 surfaces in contact with air

 Capillarity

The phenomenon of rise or fall of

a liquid inside a capillary tube
when it is dipped in the liquid is
called capillarity
 Capillary Rise
• A,C and B,D are at same horizontal levels

(pressure is greater on the concave side)

(pressure is same at the same horizontal level in air)

(no pressure difference across plane surface)

Water rises in the

capillary
 Expression For Capillary Rise/Fall
using pressure difference

Pressure due to liquid column = difference in pressure due to

concavity

{(𝒑_𝒊−𝒑_𝒐 )=𝟐𝑻/𝒓}

If , , ,
 Expression For Capillary Rise/Fall
using forces

Vertical component

Weight of liquid =

𝒓𝒉 𝝆 𝒈
𝑻=
𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
HYDRODYNAMICS
Fluids in motion
 …terms used to describe flow of a fluid
• Steady flow : pressure/velocity is constant at a
given point over time

• Flow line : path of individual particle

• Streamline : a curve whose tangent at any point in

the flow is the direction of the velocity of the flow
at that point
** steady flow : streamlines & flow lines are identical
 …terms used to describe flow of a fluid
 Flow tube : imaginary bundle of flow lines bound
by imaginary wall
 Steady flow – fluid cannot cross the walls
 Fluids in adjacent flow tubes cannot mix

 Laminar flow / Streamline flow : steady flow in

which adjacent layers of a fluid move smoothly
over each

 Turbulent flow : flow pattern changes continuously

 Flow rate is high
 Critical Velocity And Reynold’s Number

Streamline
v < vc
(based on velocity)

Rn < 1000
Flow of a fluid

Turbulent
v > vc
Rn > 2000

1000 < Rn < 2000 : unsteady flow

 Streamline Flow Vs Turbulent Flow
Streamline Flow Turbulent Flow

smooth flow irregular and unsteady flow

velocity at a given point is velocity keeps varying

constant there could be rotational motion –
streamlines can never intersect eddies (intersecting streamlines)

flow tube – no order with particles

flow tube – streamlines are moving in random directions

parallel to axis
 VISCOSITY

Viscosity is the property of

fluids by virtue of which, it
opposes relative motion
between different layers of the
fluid.
 …Viscosity
 arises due to friction within the fluid (between layers) and between the fluid and its
surrounding

 Force opposing relative motion between layers is called viscous drag

 In liquids : due to short range cohesive forces

 In gases : due to collisions between molecules

 Viscous drag relative velocity between layers

** turbulent flow : Viscous drag higher powers of relative velocity

 Central layers flow fastest

 Velocity of flow as we move outwards

 Non-viscous flow
 all layers have equal velocity

 Viscosity : zero
 Coefficient Of Viscosity

Newton’s law of viscosity for

streamline flow :

Velocity gradient : The rate

of change of velocity(dv) with
distance (dx), measured from a
stationary layer

Coefficient of viscosity can

be defined as the viscous force
per unit area per unit velocity
gradient

S.I. unit of η : Ns/m2

 Stoke’s Law
The viscous force acting on a small sphere
falling through a viscous medium is directly
proportional to
 the radius of the sphere

 it’s velocity through the fluid

 coefficient of viscosity of the fluid

Terminal Velocity
 Terminal Velocity
Initially velocity due to net downward force

At a particular stage,
Forces experienced,

1. Weight acting downward

After this,
2. Viscous force acting
upwards
3. Upthrust (buoyant force)
Terminal Velocity
acting upwards

** applies to streamline flow only

 …Terminal Velocity
When sphere attains terminal velocity,
 Equation Of Continuity
mass of fluid in sec EFGH = mass of fluid in PQRS

Eqn. of Continuity

Fluid is
incompressible
vel.
vel.

mass of fluid entering at A

The continuity equation says that the

volume rate of flow of an incompressible
fluid for a steady flow is the same mass of fluid leaving at B
throughout the flow.
 Bernoulli’s Principle

The speed of a fluid increases in a narrow

region while the internal pressure in the same
narrow region decreases.
 Bernoulli Equation
vol. of fluid passing through any cross-section in time dt

 Internal friction – absent

 Loss of energy due to viscous force – negligible

 Work on fluid element – by force due to pressure

In flowing from P to R

at P at R

velocity
area of cross-
But, section
pressure
(W is due to forces other than conservative force of gravity)
distance travelled
force
 …Bernoulli Equation

K.E. of fluid between P & Q,

K.E. of fluid between R & S,

P.E. of mass m (of fluid) between P & Q,

P.E. of mass m (of fluid) between R & S, at P at R

velocity
area of cross-
section
pressure
distance travelled
force
 …Bernoulli Equation

Bernoulli’s equation

…it states that the work done per unit volume of

a fluid by the surrounding fluid is equal to the
sum of changes in kinetic and potential energies 𝑊 =( 𝑝1 −𝑝 2 ) 𝑑𝑉
per unit volume that occur during the flow.
1
∆ 𝐾 . 𝐸 .= 𝜌 𝑑𝑉 ( 𝑣 1 − 𝑣 2 )
2 2
2

∆ 𝑃 . 𝐸 .=𝜌 𝑑𝑉𝑔 ( h 2 − h1 )
 Applications Of Bernoulli’s Equation

Aerofoil Atomizer

High speed air

Low pressure,
hence liquid
rises

Blown out
through nozzle
as tiny droplets
 …Applications Of Bernoulli’s Equation
Using Bernoulli’s equation
Toricelli’s law

(h – height of free surface above orifice; )

 …Applications Of Bernoulli’s Equation

Ventury Tube

Using Bernoulli’s equation

(h- difference in height of liquid levels at the two

points)