Coefficient of Discharge

of No.
an Orifice
Using the Principle
Experiment
7
of Projectile

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the coefficient of discharge of an orifice using the principle of

projectile.
APPARATUS:
(a) Flume
(b) Orifice
(c) Meter Stick
(d) Water
(e) Plastic Hose
(f) Vernier Caliper
(g) Graduated Cylinder
(h) Water Container
(i) Plumb Bob
THEORY:
In early measurement of discharge the actual value is always less than the
theoretical value. The factor to this is the coefficient of discharge, C. This value s
always constant for every orifice diameter although it will vary for a small amount
for different heads.
In a big discharge in an orifice, it is not practical to measure the discharge
directly using the volumetric method. Here, the diameter of the orifice and the
diameter at the vena contrata is easy to measure.
On the other hand, for small discharge it is advisable to measure the
discharge directly but it is difficult to measure the net area at the vena contrata for
small orifice diameter.
Using the projectile, the actual velocity in vena contrata is given by:

v=

g x2
2y

The theoretical velocity in the orifice is given by:

v c = 2 gH
The theoretical discharge is given by:

Qt =Av= d 2 2 gH
4

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Coefficient of Discharge
of No.
an Orifice
Using the Principle
Experiment
7
The actual discharge is determined
by the actual amount of water collected
of Projectile
in the container for a certain length of time. It is given in the following expression:

mass
Volume of water collected Vol density
G s=
=
=
time
t
time

The coefficient of discharge is given by:

Head of Orifice
Elevation of the Orifice
Elevation of the Point of
Strike
Vertical Distance from
Orifice to Strike
Horizontal Distance
Weight of Empty Container

c=

Qa
Qt

H=
Elo =
Els =
V=
X=

W c =
W w =

Weight of Container with

Water
Weight of Water Collected

W t =

Time Elapsed
Theoretical Discharge

t=

Qt =

Actual Discharge

Qa=

Theoretical Velocity

V t =

Actual Velocity

V =

Coefficient of Discharge

C=

Coefficient of Discharge

C v =

Coefficient of Contraction

C c =

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PRECAUTIONS:

Coefficient of Discharge
of No.
an Orifice
Using the Principle
Experiment
7
of Projectile

1. Coefficient of discharge has the value that ranges from 0.590 to 0.650 for
sharp edged orifices.
2. The density of the water must be checked by the use of hydrometer when
there are impurities in it.
3. The head over the orifice must be constant during the simultaneous
collection of water and he reading of time.

REMARKS:

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