7 November 2019

Extended Essay

Investigating the energy transfer in liquids of different densities to

understand physics behind hydraulics (research area)

Chandan Abhishek Sridharan

May 2020
Physics

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Abstract

This essay focuses on fluid dynamics and how it is implemented in a hydraulic braking system,
therefore, unveiling the answer to the question “How is a hydraulic brake efficient, and what are
the factors that are involved in doing so?” In this investigation, I used a real-life situation and
related it to my research. Taking the braking system of a cycle, I have constructed a model
replicating the system. First, I studied the mechanics of hydraulics. By using a clip connected to a
syringe inside which there is liquid medium (oil), which would stop the spinning wooden wheel,
which would be spinning at a constant rate, the wheel is attached to a 2-volt motor to maintain
a constant speed, reducing uncertainties. Once the motor spins the wheel using the syringe, I
added a weight on top, and the pressure would push the liquid down, causing the fluid to travel
through the syringe, and the clip would hold onto the spinning wheel stopping the rotation.
Secondly, after studying the mechanics involved, I had alternated the mass in order to increase
the force exerted. I had also varied the medium used in the syringe. I had made use of a clock to
observe the time taken to stop the moving wheel. The experimental values will be compared to
the theoretical value, expecting the other factors involved causing there to be a difference in
experimental data and theoretical data. Finally, the energy output and input has to be equal by
the law of energy conservation. Overall the experiment is a study of hydraulics in a real-life
situation, which would produce a better understanding of the fluid dynamics through a hydraulic
system, so no quantitative generalization has been made.

Word Count:283

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Table of contents

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………4

2. Background information ……………………………………………………………………..

3. Experiment setup……………………………………………………………………………….

4. Procedure…………………………………………………………………………………………..

5. Data collection……………………………………………………………………………………….

6. Materials……………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Introduction
Hydraulics is introduced at an early grade but at an elementary level. However, its complexity
increases as we study the process more in-depth and understand the subject as there are many
other factors involved. We had first come across this using the formulae " Pressure= Force/Area"
stating that the force applied at a smaller surface area would increase drastically as the energy
multiplies once the surface area increases creating a relation that: Pressure is inversely
proportional to Surface Area; P=1/A, but as we study deeper it opens into a world of knowledge.

In this essay, I attempted to study the phenomenon of hydraulics through a braking system and
to investigate its consequences upon further investigation of a simple experiment hydraulics in a
functioning system such as cycle brakes, if possible, to identify and analyze a theory to describe
this phenomenon. My objective is to conduct an in-depth research on hydraulics and think about
the other affecting factors on this experiment to do this I constructed a model to collect data
and visually see and analyze how the system works and other ways to improve the system and
identify any faults. I would also identify how much of this energy is conserved and try to improve
the efficiency of this system. An evaluation of the reliability of the measurements and claims
assesses the validity of the conclusions made on this subject.

Background information

Any substance that flows is called a fluid. In other words fluids cannot undergo shearing or tensile
stress. This chapter is dedicated to studying about the behavior (mechanism) of fluids. Fluid
mechanism is a vital science and is used in hydraulic engineering, aviation etc. There are two major
branches in fluid mechanics, namely, fluid statics which is the study of fluid in a stationary state
and fluid dynamics which is the study of fluid when its flowing, like what happens when water
flows? So lets dive into fluid mechanics.
Fluids are readily able to flow because their intermolecular forces are comparatively week at room
temperatures. Fluids do not have any specific shape and take the shape of the container into which
they are filled.
Hydraulic systems provide a means of remotely controlling a wide range of components by
transmitting a force through a confined fluid.

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Because hydraulics can transmit high forces rapidly and accurately along lightweight pipes of any
size, shape and length, they are the prime source of power in aircraft systems such as flying
controls, retractable undercarriages, flaps, and wheelbrakes.
The basic principle behind any hydraulic system is very simple - pressure applied anywhere to a
body of fluid causes a force to be transmitted equally in all directions, with the force acting at right
angles to any surface in contact with the fluid. This is known as Pascal’s Law.

Simple Hydraulic
System

A simple hydraulic system such as that within a hydraulic jack consists of two different sized
cylinders connected by a pipe.

According to Pascal's Law, pressure exerted on the smaller piston is transmitted through the fluid to act
on internal surface of the larger piston. Pressure is a property of the system (not the pistons) and is
therefore experienced equally by each piston. Because each piston has a different surface area, the force
exerted on each piston will be different, even though the pressure is the same.

If the larger piston is twice the area of the smaller piston then the force on the larger piston will be twice
as great. In order to create that extra force, the smaller piston has to be moved by twice the distance.

Joseph Barmah applied his understanding of this principle when he patented the Bramah Press in 1795.

.l

The diagram below (fig.1) illustrates a hydraulic model:

.A

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Fig.1

This is a basic hydraulic model which explains that at point A when there is a force exerted the
flow of water is transferred to point B as the water inflow is pushed down so the volume
decreases and pressure at A increases and the piston is pushed upwards with the the same
amount of force as in A following the law of conversation of energy as all the energy applied at A
is used to push the piston at B. however if the diameter of the aperture of point A was smaller
then and a small amount of force was exerted it would multiply as its volume decreases hence
increasing pressure, so a small force at A should cause a great change at B as the surface area
increased and more energy is present moving towards piston B with a greater force than the
initial force this is due to the law of hydraulics.

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Materials used in this experiment:

 Glass syringe

 Plastic tube

 Plastic wheel

 motor

 Two clamps

 Hydraulic clip

 Mass

 6-volt battery supply

Procedure:
In this setup up the wooden wheel will be suspended using the clamps and the motor will be
attached to the wheel in order to make it spin and the hydraulic clip will be in a very close range
so when the syringe is pressed then the clip will close and clip on to the spinning wheel stopping
it in time. On top of the syringe I will add the mass in order to maintain a constant force to reduce
uncertainty as much as possible to get a precise value while calculating. Therefore once the mass
is added on top I would start the timer and measure how long it would take to stop by attempting
many trials on each of the densities to create a ratio for the given data and observe for some
similarities.

How force affects density (Major)

Pressure is defined as force per unit area.

A change in pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished

to all portions of the fluid and to the walls of its container. This phenomenon is
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called Pascal’s principle.

Application of Pascal’s Principle

One of the most important technological applications of Pascal’s principle is found in a hydraulic
system, which is an enclosed fluid system used to exert forces. The most common hydraulic
systems are those that operate car brakes. Let us first consider the simple hydraulic system
shown in [link].

A typical hydraulic system with two fluid-filled cylinders, capped with

pistons and connected by a tube called a hydraulic line. A downward
force on the left piston creates a pressure that is transmitted
undiminished to all parts of the enclosed fluid. This results in an upward
force on the right piston that is larger than because the right piston
has a larger area.

Relationship Between Forces in a Hydraulic System

We can derive a relationship between the forces in the simple hydraulic system shown
in [link] by applying Pascal’s principle. Note first that the two pistons in the system are
at the same height, and so there will be no difference in pressure due to a difference in
depth. Now the pressure due to acting on area is simply , as defined
by . According to Pascal’s principle, this pressure is transmitted undiminished
throughout the fluid and to all walls of the container. Thus, a pressure is felt at the
other piston that is equal to . That is .

But since , we see that .

This equation relates the ratios of force to area in any hydraulic system, providing the
pistons are at the same vertical height and that friction in the system is negligible.
Hydraulic systems can increase or decrease the force applied to them. To make the force
larger, the pressure is applied to a larger area. For example, if a 100-N force is applied to
the left cylinder in [link] and the right one has an area five times greater, then the force
out is 500 N.

Relationship Between Forces in a Hydraulic System

We can derive a relationship between the forces in the simple hydraulic system shown
in [link] by applying Pascal’s principle. Note first that the two pistons in the system are
at the same height, and so there will be no difference in pressure due to a difference in
depth. Now the pressure due to acting on area is simply , as defined
by . According to Pascal’s principle, this pressure is transmitted undiminished
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throughout the fluid and to all walls of the container. Thus, a pressure is felt at the
other piston that is equal to . That is .

But since , we see that .

This equation relates the ratios of force to area in any hydraulic system, providing the
pistons are at the same vertical height and that friction in the system is negligible.
Hydraulic systems can increase or decrease the force applied to them. To make the force
larger, the pressure is applied to a larger area. For example, if a 100-N force is applied to
the left cylinder in [link] and the right one has an area five times greater, then the force
out is 500 N.

Citations: https://opentextbc.ca/physicstestbook2/chapter/pascals-principle/#import-auto-
id2421399

Viscosity (Minor)

Energy transfer through liquids

How the efficiency of liquid to transfer the energy (fluid energy change)

Refer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptf8icUjT1U&list=PLF_7kfnwLFCHXd4k2jaPkHOBMzzGCq7
t0&index=5

https://www.google.com/search?q=fluid+dynamics+and+hydraulic+brakes&rlz=1C1GCEB_enIN
807IN809&oq=f&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j69i59l2j0l4.3169j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

http://dawkinseng2.weebly.com/braking-systems.html

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Fundamentals_of_Physics/Fluid_Mechanics#Fluid_Dynamics

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Microfluidics/Fluid_dynamics_equation#Boundary_conditions

http://www.boschrexroth.co.in/business_units/bri/de/downloads/hyd_formelsammlung_en.p
df

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEB_enIN807IN809&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ACYBGNRwQU

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w0DdI5GfKAKZmcbjSa3tz3lQ:1577469056104&q=graph+for+hydraulic+braking+system+using+
different+fluids&chips=q:graph+for+hydraulic+braking+system+using+different+fluids,online_c
hips:pascal%27s+law&usg=AI4_-
kQW2T3fEyXL3HsJcXo1eISm1t6M5w&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBw-
6VstbmAhXEYisKHVwXCFwQ4lYILSgC&biw=1366&bih=625&dpr=1#imgrc=eQ-Rw2jE5FRlXM:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_law

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pressure_water_air_(en).svg

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279845375_An_Experimental_Analysis_of_Brake_E
fficiency_Using_four_Fluids_in_a_Disc_Brake_System

https://opentextbc.ca/physicstestbook2/chapter/pascals-principle/#import-auto-id2421399

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297300570_An_Experimental_Analysis_of_Brake_E
fficiency_Using_Four_Fluids_in_a_Drum_Brake_System

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268389110_Mode-switching-
based_active_control_of_powertrain_system_with_nonlinear_backlash_and_flexibility_for_ele
ctric_vehicle_during_regenerative_deceleration

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