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Fluid Mechanics Lab

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Experiment
6
Fluid Friction Apparatus
This is a sample report, it is the
perfect format.

Abstract
Statement of Problem
The primary goals of this experiment was to determine the physical properties of different fluids, namely,
their density, specific gravity and dynamic viscosity. The properties determined experimentally were
subsequently compared with known values and then validated.

Summary of Experiment
The experiment consisted of 2 different parts. The first part of the experiment involved the measurement
of the density and specific gravity of some fluids. The density bottle was used to determine the density of
the fluids. The second part involved the measurement of the dynamic viscosity of the fluids. The dynamic
viscosity was determined in 2 ways, namely, by using the rotational viscometer and the falling ball
viscometer.

Conclusions
The density of the vegetable oil was determined as 9126 kg/m3 which is slightly lower than the known
value. The density of the motor oil was determined as 8606 kg/m3 which is near the known value. The
density of the dark oil was determined as 8506 kg/m3.
The specific gravity of the vegetable oil was determined as 0.9150.006 which is slightly lower than the
known value. The specific gravity of the multi-grade oil was determined as 0.8600.006 which is near the
known value.
The dynamic viscosity of vegetable oil determined by the method of the Rotational Viscometer is
1.6400.3 Ns/m2. The dynamic viscosity of vegetable oil determined by the method of the Falling ball
Viscometer is 4.7740.5 Ns/m2. Both values are much larger than the known value of the viscosity which
is near 0.4 Ns/m2.

Table of Contents
Abstract........................................................................................................................................................i
Statement of Problem...............................................................................................................................i
Summary of Experiment...........................................................................................................................i
Conclusions..............................................................................................................................................i
List of Tables..............................................................................................................................................iii
List of Figures............................................................................................................................................iii
1. Introduction.............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Objectives..........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Hypothesis.........................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Major Fluid Mechanics Principles.....................................................................................................1
2. Theory.....................................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Mathematical Symbols......................................................................................................................2
2.2 Theoretical Relations.........................................................................................................................2
2.3 Assumptions......................................................................................................................................3
2.4 Experimental Conditions...................................................................................................................4
2.5 Sample Calculations..........................................................................................................................4
3. Facility and Apparatus.............................................................................................................................5
3.1 Description of Apparatus:..................................................................................................................5
4. Procedure.................................................................................................................................................5
4.1 Specific Gravity Measurement with the Density Bottle:....................................................................5
4.2 Dynamic Viscosity Measurement using Rotational Viscometer:........................................................6
4.3 Dynamic Viscosity Measurement Using Falling Ball Viscometer:.....................................................6
3

5. Results.....................................................................................................................................................6
5.1 Tabulated Results...............................................................................................................................6
5.2 Plots...................................................................................................................................................7
5.3 Discussion.........................................................................................................................................7
5.4 Significant Issues...............................................................................................................................8
6. Statement of Uncertainty.........................................................................................................................8
6.1 Qualitative Statement.........................................................................................................................8
6.2 Quantitative Statement.......................................................................................................................8
7. Conclusions...........................................................................................................................................10
7.1 Major Results...................................................................................................................................10
7.2 Further Research..............................................................................................................................10
8. Bibliography..........................................................................................................................................10

List of Tables
Table 1: Mathematical Symbols..................................................................................................................2
Table 2: Results for Density Measurement..................................................................................................6
Table 3: Results for Specific Gravity Measurement....................................................................................6
Table 4: Results for Dynamic Viscosity Measurement using Rotational Viscometer for Vegetable Oil.......7
Table 5: Results for Dynamic Viscosity Measurement using Falling Ball Viscometer for Vegetable Oil.....7
Table 6: Maximum Uncertainties...............................................................................................................10

List of Figures
Figure 1: Force on Falling Ball vs. Velocity of Falling Ball........................................................................7

1. Introduction
1.1 Objectives
The objectives of this experiment are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Determination of the density of vegetable oil, motor oil and dark oil.
Determination of the specific gravity of vegetable oil and multi-grade oil.
Determination of the dynamic viscosity of vegetable oil using the rotational viscometer.
Determination of the dynamic viscosity of vegetable oil using the falling ball viscometer.
Validation of the experimentally determined values of the dynamic viscosity with known
published values.

1.2 Hypothesis
The density of a fluid can be determined by recording the weight of a known volume of the fluid.
The specific gravity of a fluid at a reference temperature is the ratio between the density of the fluid and
the density of water at the same reference temperature.
The dynamic viscosity of a fluid is the force generated due to frictional effects per unit area per unit
velocity gradient in the fluid.

1.3 Major Fluid Mechanics Principles

The major principles used in this experiment include:

The shear stress due to frictional effects in a fluid is directly proportional to the rate of strain
applied to it.
For low Reynolds number flows, the inertial forces are negligible compared to frictional forces
and thus can be neglected from the force balance equation to estimate the dynamic viscosity with
a sufficient accuracy.

2. Theory
2.1 Mathematical Symbols
Table 1: Mathematical Symbols
Mathematical
Symbols

Physical Significance

Units

Ri

Radius of inner cylinder of rotational viscometer

Ro

Radius of outer cylinder of rotational viscometer

Height of fall in Falling Sphere Viscometer

Time of fall in Falling Sphere Viscometer

Height of Pressure tube

Diameter of sphere

Net Force on falling sphere

Height of table

Length of cylinder of rotational viscometer

mW

Mass attached to rotational viscometer

kg

Reynolds Number

--

SG

Specific Gravity

--

Velocity of fall

m/s

Mass of falling sphere

kg

Radius of cylinder pulley of rotational viscometer

Time of fall of mass in Rotational Viscometer

Dynamic Viscosity

Ns/m2

Density of fluid

kg /m3

Difference in mass of filled and empty bottle

kg

Volume of Bottle

2.2 Theoretical Relations

The density of the oil is

oil =

M
V bottle
Equation 1: Density of Oil

For the specific gravity of the oil is

SG oilT =

oil
waterT
Equation 2: Specific Gravity of Oil

The speed of the weight dropped is

U=

H
t
Equation 3: Speed of Weight Dropped

The dynamic viscosity from the rotational viscometer is

r 2 mW g ( Ro Ri )
Ri3 2 LU

Equation 4: dynamic Viscosity from Rotational Viscometer

Velocity of the falling sphere is

U=

L
t
Equation 5: Velocity of Falling Ball

The force on the falling sphere is

oil D3 g
F=mg
=3 UD
6
Equation 6: Force on Falling Ball
The dynamic viscosity from the falling sphere viscometer is

D
mg 1 oil
6m
=
3 UD

Equation 7: Dynamic Viscosity from Falling Ball Viscometer

3

The Reynolds number for the sphere is given by

D=

oil UD

Equation 8: Reynolds Number

2.3 Assumptions

The oil being measured is a uniform and homogeneous liquid.

The temperature remains constant throughout the duration of the experiment.
The inner cylinder of the rotational viscometer rotates at a constant speed during the duration of
the fall of the weight and is always immersed in the oil being used.
The pulley is frictionless in the rotational viscometer.
The gap between the cylinders of the rotational viscometer is constant during the operation along
the entire circumference.
The weight drops at a constant velocity and does not accelerate during the fall.
The ball used in the falling ball viscometer is perfectly spherical.
The ball falls at a constant terminal velocity throughout the distance used for measurement.
The Reynolds number of the ball is sufficiently lower than 1 for the measurement to be in the
Stoke flow region.

2.4 Experimental Conditions

V bottle=25 ml=25 106 m3

The volume of the bottle is

The height of the table is

The radius of the cylinder pulley is

r=0.955 0.0243 m

The radius of the inner cylinder is

Ri=0.850 0.0216 m

The radius of the outer cylinder is

Ro=1.000 0.0254 m

The length of the cylinder is

The mass of the sphere is

The diameter of the sphere is

The acceleration due to gravity is

H=35.75 0.908 m

L=4.325 0.1099 m

m=9.23 gm=0.00923 kg
D=2.54 cm=0.0254 m

g=9.81m/s 2

2.5 Sample Calculations

For

M =41.218.5=22.7 gm=22.7 103 kg we have from Equation 1

oil =

22.7 103
=908 kg /m3
6
25 10

For

oil =906.8 kg /m3 and

SG oil=
For

water =1000 kg /m 3 from Equation 2,

908
=0.908
1000

mw =50 gm=0.05 kg and time of fall t=12.65 s , we have the velocity of fall from Equation

3 as

U=

0.908
=0.072 m/s
12.65

The dynamic viscosity from is

0.02432 0.05 9.81 ( 0.02540.0216 )

=
=2.2 Ns/ m2
3
0.0216 2 .1099 0.072
For the length of fall

L=15.24 cm=0.1524 m and time of fall t=12.93 s , we have from the

velocity of fall as

U=

0.1524
=0.0107 m/s
12.93

The force on the ball from Equation 6 is

F= 0.00923 9.81912

0.0254 3 9.81 =0.014 N

6

The dynamic viscosity from is

912 0.02543
6 0.00923
=4.89 Ns /m2
3 0.0107 0.0254

0.00923 9.81 1
=

The Reynolds number from The Reynolds number for the sphere is given by is

912 0.0107 0.0254

=0.06 1
4.89

Thus, the Stoke flow assumption is true.

3. Facility and Apparatus

The list of apparatus used in the experiment is as follows:
5

i) Density Bottle
ii) Weighing Balance
iii) Rotational Viscometer
iv) Falling Ball Viscometer
v) Stop Watch
vi) Measuring Tape
vii) Vernier Calipers

3.1 Description of Apparatus:

i) Density Bottle: This is a bottle of volume 25 ml used to measure the density of the fluids. It can be
filled with the desired fluid and when stoppered, causes a constant known volume of the fluid to be
present.
ii) Weighing Balance: It is used to determine the masses of the empty and filled density bottle. The
difference in masses can subsequently be used as the mass of the known volume of fluid.
iii) Rotational Viscometer: The rotational viscometer consists of an arrangement of a cylinder rotating
inside another concentric stationary hollow cylinder. The inner cylinder is connected to a weight
which falls from a particular height via a pulley system. The inner cylinder is submerged in the fluid
whose dynamic viscosity is to be measured such that the annulus between the inner and outer
cylinders is filled with the fluid.
iv) Falling Ball Viscometer: This consists of a long graduated cylinder filled with the fluid whose
dynamic viscosity is being measured and a spherical ball whose diameter and mass are known. The
spirit level and adjustable stands of the cylinder make sure, that the cylinder is vertical.
v) Stop Watch: This is used for measuring the fall times during the viscosity measurement.
vi) Measuring Tape: It is used to measure the height of the table for the rotational viscometer
measurement.
vii) Vernier Calipers: This is used to note the diameter of the inner and outer cylinders, the diameter of
the pulley and the diameter of the spherical ball.

4. Procedure
4.1 Specific Gravity Measurement with the Density Bottle:
1. The empty density bottle is weighed using the weighing balance.
2. The density bottle is fully filled with the required oil and then stoppered. The outsides of the bottle
are then wiped clean to remove excess fluid.
3. The filled density bottle is weighed using the weighing balance and then subsequently emptied. The
empty bottle is cleaned properly before reusing.
4. The steps 1 to 3 are repeated for each type of oil.

4.2 Dynamic Viscosity Measurement using Rotational Viscometer:

1. The diameters of the pulley and the inner cylinder and the inner diameter of the outer cylinder are
measured using the Vernier Calipers.
2. The length of the cylinders is measured.
3. The gap between the inner rotating cylinder and the outer stationary cylinder is filled with the
required oil completely immersing the inner cylinder.
4. The height of fall is measured as the height of the table.
5. A 50 gram mass is attached to the drop hangar and subsequently released from the same height as that
of the table. The drop time is measured using the stop watch. The process is repeated again.
6. The step 5 is repeated for a drop mass of 100 grams.
6

4.3 Dynamic Viscosity Measurement Using Falling Ball Viscometer:

1. Ball is weighed in the weighing balance and its diameter is measured using the Vernier Calipers.
2. A graduated cylinder is filled with the required oil.
3. It is ascertained that the cylinder is in a vertical position. If it is not, then it is adjusted using the
screws on the stands and the spirit level.
4. The start and stop points are located using the graduations on the cylinder. This is done to ensure that
the time of fall is noted after sufficient time, so that the ball reaches terminal velocity.
5. The ball is dropped centrally in the cylinder and so that it does not touch the sides of the graduated
tube. The stop watch is used to determine the time of fall through the fixed distance at the terminal
velocity.
6. The step 3 is repeated twice to get 3 readings for the drop time.

5. Results
5.1 Tabulated Results
Table 2: Results for Density Measurement
Oil Type

Vegetable Oil
Motor Oil
Dark Oil

Empty
Mass
(gm)
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5

Filled
Mass
(gm)
41.2
41.4
40.0
40.0
39.9
39.6

Density
(kg/m3)
908
916
860
860
856
844

Table 3: Results for Specific Gravity Measurement

Oil Type
Vegetable Oil
Multi-grade Oil

Density
915
920
860
860

Specific Gravity
0.915
0.920
0.860
0.860

Table 4: Results for Dynamic Viscosity Measurement using Rotational Viscometer for Vegetable
Oil
Mass

Time

Velocity

(kg)

(s)
12.65
13.59
3.16
2.53

(m/s)
0.072
0.067
0.287
0.359

0.05
0.10

Dynamic
Viscosity
(Ns/m2)
2.21
2.37
1.10
0.88

Table 5: Results for Dynamic Viscosity Measurement using Falling Ball Viscometer for Vegetable
Oil
Fall
Height
(m)
0.1523
0.1523
0.1523

Fall
Time
(s)
12.93
12.86
12.10

Velocity of
ball
(m/s)
0.01178
0.01184
0.01259

Dynamic
Viscosity
(Ns/m2)
4.887
4.861
4.574

Reynolds
Number
0.0558
0.0564
0.0637

5.2 Plots

Force vs. Velocity

0.0160
0.0140
0.0120
0.0100

Force (N) 0.0080

0.0060
0.0040
0.0020
0.0000
0.0115

0.0120

0.0125

0.0130

Velocity (m/s)

Figure 1: Force on Falling Ball vs. Velocity of Falling Ball

5.3 Discussion

From Table 2 the average value of the density of vegetable oil was found to be 912 kg/m 3 which
is lower than the published value. The average density of the motor oil was found as 860 kg/m 3
and the average density of the dark oil was found to be 850 kg/m3.
From Table 3 the average specific gravity of vegetable oil was found to be 0.912 which is lower
than the known value. The average value of the specific gravity of motor oil was determined as
0.860 which is near the known value.
From Table 4 we can see that the average dynamic viscosity of vegetable oil is found to be 1.640
Ns/m2 which is much higher than the known value of 0.4 Ns/m2.
From Table 5, the average value of the absolute dynamic viscosity obtained is 4.774 Ns/m 2 which
is larger than the known value and also larger than the value estimated by the rotational
viscometer. The values of Reynolds number are significantly smaller than unity which proves the
assumption of stoke flow to be correct.
There is no variation of the force with the velocity as seen in Figure 1. This can be presumed to
happen as there was no variation in the ball and hence no variation in its mass and diameter.

5.4 Significant Issues

There was friction in the pulley

The sphere did not fall vertically.

6. Statement of Uncertainty
6.1 Qualitative Statement

The cylinder pulley was highly frictional which can be the cause of the increase in the dynamic
viscosity determined.
The walls of the cylinder might not have maintained a constant gap along the circumference.
The falling mass was accelerating during the fall.
The falling ball was not a perfect sphere.
The falling ball did not attain terminal velocity from the beginning of the fall.
The ball did not fall in a perfectly vertical manner.

6.2 Quantitative Statement

The known uncertainties in measurements are as follows:
The uncertainty in the radii and length measurement is

L=r= R o= R i=0.02 mm=2 105 m

Equation 9: Uncertainty in Radii
The uncertainty in mass measurement is

m=0.1 gm=1 104 kg

Equation 10: Uncertainty in Mass
The uncertainty in time measurement is

t= t=0.02 s

Equation 11: Uncertainty in Time

The uncertainty in the measurement of the density from Equation 1 is as follows

= 2

( Vm )=5.6 kg/ m

bottle

Equation 12: Uncertainty in Density

The uncertainty in the specific gravity from Equation 2 is

SG=

5.6
=
=0.0056
water 1000
Equation 13: Uncertainty in Specific Gravity

Thus, from Equation 3, the uncertainty in the velocity is

U =

Ht
2
t
Equation 14: Uncertainty in Speed of fall for Rotational Viscometer

The uncertainty in the viscosity measurement from Equation 4 is

[(

{( ) } ( ) ( ) ]
2

Ro
23
2
Ro
Ri
r 2
L 2 U
= 2
+
+
Ri +
+
r
Ro Ri
Ro Ri
L
U

)(

1
2

Equation 15: Uncertainty in Dynamic Viscosity for Rotational Viscometer

The uncertainty in the velocity of the ball from Equation 5 is

U =

L t
t2
Equation 16: Uncertainty in Speed of fall for Falling Ball Viscometer

The uncertainty in the force on the ball from Equation 6 is

F = ( gm ) + oil g D2 D
2
2

2 1
2

)]

Equation 17: Uncertainty in Force on Falling Ball

The uncertainty in the viscosity measurement from Equation 7 is

[(

{(

) {(

) }

2 1
2

) }]

1
3
2
mg
oil D g
2
oil D
g
m
6
=
m +
+
gD +
U
2
2
3 UD
9 U
3 U D
3 U D

Equation 18: Uncertainty in Dynamic Viscosity in Falling Ball Viscometer

The uncertainty in the Reynolds number from Equation 8 is
10

[(

2
2
oil D
oil U
UD
Re=
U +
D + oil 2

)(

)(

2 1
2

)]

Equation 19: Uncertainty in Reynolds Number

The maximum uncertainties in the quantities is shown below

Table 6: Maximum Uncertainties

Density

Specific Gravity

0.006

Dynamic Viscosity
Rotational Viscometer Falling Ball Viscometer
0.3
0.5

7. Conclusions
7.1 Major Results

The density of the vegetable oil was determined as 9126 kg/m3.

The density of the motor oil was determined as 8606 kg/m3.
The density of the dark oil was determined as 8506 kg/m3.
The specific gravity of the vegetable oil was determined as 0.9150.006.
The specific gravity of the multi-grade oil was determined as 0.8600.006.
The dynamic viscosity of vegetable oil determined by the method of the Rotational Viscometer is
1.6400.3 Ns/m2
The dynamic viscosity of vegetable oil determined by the method of the Falling ball Viscometer
is 4.7740.5 Ns/m2.

7.2 Further Research

The specific gravities and the dynamic viscosities can be determined at different temperatures.
Different fluids can be used to perform the tests to compare their properties.

8. Bibliography
1. Fluid Mechanics Lab Manual. Melbourne : Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Florida Institute of Technology, 2015.

11