ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2

Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

Name: Due: February 1, 2013 (before class)

For Instructor of TA use only:

Problem Score Points
1a 5
1b 10
1c 5
2a 5
2b 5
2c 10
3a 10
3b 15
3c 10
3d 15
3e 10
Total: 100
ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

1. Surface Tension and Capillary Effect (20 points)

a. (5 point) What is surface tension? What is the physical origin of surface tension? What
are the units of surface tension?

Surface tension is the resultant force acting along an interface between two immiscible
phases, which is originated from the imbalance forces of the molecules between the
phases. The units of surface tension can be expressed as Newton per unit meter (N/m) or
energy per unit area (J/m2).

b. (10 point) Consider two spherical liquid droplets

submerged under water, Droplet A with a radius r,
and Droplet B with radius R, where r < R. Based
on the Laplace pressure argument, indicate which
liquid droplet is at a higher pressure. Please list
your assumptions.

Assumptions: The liquids are immiscible with water, droplets are small enough so that
they remain spherical in shape (i.e., constant curvature), same density between liquid and
water.

Based on the argument of Laplace pressure, we have the pressure difference across the
interface liquid A and water, ΔPA, as:

2
𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = ∆𝑃𝐴 = 𝜎 ( )
𝑟

Similarly, the pressure difference across the interface liquid A and water, ΔPB, as :

2
𝑃𝐵 − 𝑃𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = ∆𝑃𝐵 = 𝜎 ( )
𝑅
By comparing ΔPA, and ΔPB, we have,

1 1 𝑅−𝑟
∆𝑃𝐴 − ∆𝑃𝐵 = 𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐵 = 2𝜎 ( − ) = 2𝜎 ( ) >0
𝑟 𝑅 𝑅𝑟

Therefore, we have PA > PB and Droplet A is at a higher pressure.

c. (5 points) If a tube (filled with the liquid identical to the droplets) is now connected
between Droplet A and Droplet B, what will happen to the droplets? Please explain your
reasoning based on your results in 1b.

Since PA > PB and Droplet A is at a higher pressure, Droplet A will diminish and Droplet
B will increase in size when they are connected.
ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

2. Buoyancy and Stability (20 points)

a. (5 points) What is buoyancy? How do you quantify the buoyancy force acting on a
sphere (with radius R) that is half-submerged in a liquid bath of density, ρ?

Buoyancy is a volumetric force acting on a submerged object due to the displacement of

a fluid volume. Buoyancy force acting on a half-submerged object can be quantified as
2
3
𝜌𝑔𝑅 3 .

b. (5 points) It is estimated that 90% of an iceberg’s volume is below the surface of the
ocean, while only 10% is visible above the surface. For seawater with a density of 1030
kg/m3, estimate the density of the iceberg.

Find: density of the iceberg

Free body diagram: REQUIRED
Property: density of seawater = 1030 kg/m3
Define: Volume of the iceberg = V; gravity = g; density of seawater = ρwater;
density of the iceberg = ρice

Analysis:
The buoyancy force that is acting on the iceberg = 0.9Vgρwater

The weight of the iceberg = Vgρice

At static equilibrium, we have

Vgρice = 0.9Vgρwater

 ρice = 0.9ρwater = 0.9(1030) = 927 kg/m3

c. (10 points) Futuristic shoes are to be designed using super-light material to enable people
of up to 100 kg to walk on freshwater of density 1000 kg/m3. Assuming the shoes
contain a wearable portion and a floatation portion with negligible density as compared to
that of water. Assuming the shape of the floatation portion is in the form of a sphere and
is completely filled with air (i.e., density ~ 0 kg/m3), determine I) the minimum radius of
the sphere required to support the human of specified weight when the person is standing
with BOTH feet on the water without sinking; II) By considering the possible locations of
the center of mass of the shoe and its centroid, comment on the stability of the shoes.

I) (7 points)
Find: minimum radius of sphere
Free body diagram: REQUIRED
Property: density of freshwater = 1000 kg/m3; density of air = 0 kg/m3
ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

Assumption: The flotation portion is completely submerged in water to create maximum

buoyancy
Define: Radius of the sphere = R; gravity = g; mass of the person = m; density of fresh
water = ρwater;
density of floatation portion = ρair

Analysis:
At static equilibrium, we have the weight of the person to be balanced by the floatation
devices that is completely submerged in the fresh water, therefore:
4
𝑚𝑔 = 2 × 𝜋𝑅 3 (𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 − 𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 )𝑔
3

3 3𝑚
 𝑅= √
8𝜋(𝜌 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 −𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 )

3 3(100)
 𝑅 = √8𝜋(1000−0)
 𝑅 = 0.229 m
ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

II) (3 points)
Free body diagram: REQUIRED
Analysis: Centroid of the sphere is about ~0.12 m below the water surface, and the center
of mass of the whole system (i.e., human and the floatation device) is about ~ 1 m above
the water surface (note that the floatation device has little mass compared that of the
human). Therefore, the center of mass is above the centroid of the floatation device,
which means that it would be difficult for the person to maintain a good balance on the
water.

3. Hydrostatic Pressure and Fluids in Rigid-body Motion (60 points)

a. (10 points) A gasoline line is connected to a

pressure gauge through a double-U manometer,
as shown on the right. IF the reading of the
pressure gage is 370 kPa, determine the gage
pressure of the gasoline line.

Find: The gage pressure of the gasoline line

Assumptions: All the liquids are incompressible; the effect of air column on pressure is
negligible.
Properties: The specific gravities of oil, mercury, and gasoline are given to be 0.79,
13.6, and 0.70, respectively. We take the density of water to be ρw = 1000 kg/m3;

Analysis:
We start with the pressure indicated by the pressure gauge and moving along the tube by
adding (as we go down) or subtracting (as we go up) the until we reach the gasoline pipe,
setting the result equal to Pgasoline gives

Pgage – ρw ghw + ρoil ghoil – ρHg ghHg – ρgasoline ghgasoline = Pgasoline

Rearranging,
Pgasoline = Pgage – ρw g(hw – SGoilhoil + SGHghHg + SGgasolinehgasoline)

Substituting,
Pgasoline = 370 kPa – (1000kg/m3)(9.81 m/s2)[(0.45 m) – 0.79(0.5 m) +
1 kN 1 kPa
13.6(0.1 m) + 0.70(0.22 m)]× (1000 kg∙m/s2 ) (1 kN/m2 ) = 354.6 kPa ≅ 355 kPa
ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

b. (15 points) Consider a flat plate of thickness t, width w into the page, and length b
submerged in water of density ρ, as shown on the right. The depth of water from the
surface to the center of the plate is H, and angle θ is
defined relative to the center of the plate. (a) Under
gravity g, derive an equation for the force F on the
upper face of the plate as a function of the system
parameters. Ignore atmospheric pressure. In other
words, calculate the force that is in addition to the force
due to atmosphere pressure. (b) With your results in a),
calculate the force acting on the plate with H = 1 m, b =
1 m, t = 0.3 m, w = 1 m, g = 9.8 m/s2, ρ = 1000 kg/m3,
and θ = 30o. (c) Determine the location of center of
pressure along the plate.

Find: Express F on the upper face of the plate as a function of the system parameters
Assumption: The water is incompressible; The system is a rest during the analysis
(hydrostatics); Atmospheric pressure is ignored since it acts on both sides of the plate.
Properties: H = 1 m, b = 1 m, t = 0.3 m, w = 1 m, g = 9.8 m/s2, ρ = 1000 kg/m3, and θ =
30o.;

Analysis:
(a) (8 points)
At first, and as a good approximation, as plate thickness t approaches zero, the pressure
force is simply F = ρ gHA = ρgHbw, since the centroid of the plate is at its center
regardless of the tilt angle. However, the plate thickness must be taken into account since
we are concerned with the upper face of the plate (i.e., now the problem becomes
determining the centroid of the top face ONLY). By trigonometry arguments, we have
the location of centroid is H – (t/2)cosθ, i.e., somewhere smaller than H itself since the
upper face of the plate is above the center of the plate when it is tilted (θ). Therefore,

𝑡
𝐹 = 𝜌 𝑔 (𝐻 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) 𝑏𝑤
2

(b) Based on the result of (a) and the properties given, we have, (2 points)

𝑡
𝐹 = 𝜌 𝑔 (𝐻 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) 𝑏𝑤
2
𝑘𝑔 𝑚 0.3
 𝐹 = (1000 𝑚3 )(9.8 𝑠2 ) (1 𝑚 − 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠30𝑜 ) (1 𝑚)(1 𝑚)
 𝐹 = 8526.9 N ≅ 9000 N

(c) Determine the location of center of pressure (5 points)

ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

Note: The location of center of pressure should be specified from the distance of the free
water surface.

Here we consider the center of pressure acting on the whole plate.

Define: yp is the location of center of pressure along the plate; Hp is the location of center
of pressure under the free water surface; yc is the centroid of the plate, Ixx,C is the area
moment of inertia of the plate about the axis out of the plane, A is the area of the cross
section of the plate.

We have,
𝐼𝑥𝑥,𝐶
𝑦𝑝 = 𝑦𝑐 +
𝐴𝑦𝑐

𝑏𝑡 3 𝐻 𝐻𝑝
where 𝐼𝑥𝑥,𝐶 = 12
; A = bw; 𝑦𝑐 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃; 𝑦𝑝 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

By substitution, we have,
𝑏𝑡 3
𝐻𝑝 𝐻
= + 12
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑏𝑤𝐻
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑏𝑡 3 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
 𝐻𝑝 = 𝐻 + 12𝑏𝑤𝐻
Substituting all the parameters we have,
(1 𝑚)(0.3 𝑚)3 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 30𝑜
𝐻𝑝 = 1 𝑚 + = 1.002 𝑚
12(1 𝑚)(0.3 𝑚)(1 𝑚)
ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

c. (10 points) A 4-m-long quarter-circular gate

of radius 3 m and of negligible weight in
hinged about its upped edge A, as shown on
the right. The gate controls the flow of water
(of density = 1000 kg/m3) over the ledge at B,
where the gate is pressed by a spring.
Determine the minimum spring force required
to keep the gate closed when the water level
rises to A at the upper edge of the gate.

Find: Minimum spring force required to keep the gate closed when the water level rises
to A at the upper edge of the gate.

Assumption: The hinge is frictionless; Atmospheric

pressure acts on both sides of the gate, and thus it can
be ignored in calculations for convenience; the
weight of the gate is negligible.
Properties: Density of water is 1000 kg/m3;
Free body diagram: REQUIRED

Analysis:
We consider the free body diagram of the liquid block enclosed by the circular surface of
the gate and its vertical and horizontal projections. The hydrostatic forces acting on the
vertical and horizontal plane surfaces as well as the weight of the liquid block are
determined as follows:

Horizontal force on vertical surface:

𝑅
𝐹𝐻 = 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝐴 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ𝑐 𝐴 = 𝜌𝑔 ( ) 𝐴
2

1 𝑘𝑁
= (1000 kg/m3)(9.81 m/s2)(3/2 m)(4 m × 3 m)(1000 𝑘𝑔∙𝑚/𝑠2 )

= 176.6 kN

Vertical force on horizontal surface (upward):

𝐹𝑦 = 𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝐴 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ𝑐 𝐴 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝐴

1 𝑘𝑁
= (1000 kg/m3)(9.81 m/s2)(3 m)(4 m × 3 m)(1000 𝑘𝑔∙𝑚/𝑠2 )

= 353.2 kN

The weight of the fluid block per 4-m length (downloads):

𝑊 = 𝜌𝑔𝑉 = 𝜌𝑔[𝑤𝜋𝑅 2 /4]

ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong
1 𝑘𝑁
= (1000 kg/m3)(9.81 m/s2)[(4 m)𝜋 (3 m)2/4)(1000 𝑘𝑔∙𝑚/𝑠2 ) = 277.4 kN

Therefore, the net upward vertical force is

𝐹𝑉 = 𝐹𝑦 − 𝑊 = 353.2 − 277.4 = 75.8 𝑘𝑁

Then the magnitude and direction of the hydrostatic force acting on the surface of the 4-
m long quarter-circular section of the gate become

𝐹𝑅 = √𝐹𝐻2 + 𝐹𝑉2 = √(176.6 𝑘𝑁)2 + (75.8 𝑘𝑁)2 = 192.2 𝑘𝑁

𝐹𝑉 75.8 𝑘𝑁
tan 𝜃 = = = 0.429 → 𝜃 = 23.2𝑜
𝐹𝐻 176.6 𝑘𝑁

Therefore, the magnitude of the hydrostatic force acting on the gate is 192.2 kN, and its
line of action passes through the center of the quarter-circular gate making an angle of
23.2o upwards from the horizontal.

The minimum spring force needed is determined by taking a moment about the point A
where the hinge is, and setting it equal to zero,

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 → 𝐹𝑅 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛(90𝑜 − 𝜃) − 𝐹𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑅 = 0

Solving for Fspring and substituting, the spring force is determined to be

𝐹𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝐹𝑅 sin(90𝑜 − 𝜃) = (192.2𝑘𝑁) sin(90𝑜 − 23.2𝑜 ) = 177𝑘𝑁

ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

d. (15 points) A 22-ft-long, 8-ft-high rectangular tank open to the atmosphere is towed by a
truck on a road at an angle θ with respect to the horizontal. The tank is filled with water
to a depth of 6 ft. (A) Determine the maximum acceleration or deceleration allowed if no
water is to spill during towing for θ = 0o; (B) Repeat part (A) for θ = 30o

Find: Determine the maximum acceleration or

deceleration allowed if no water is to spill during
towing for θ = 0o and θ = 30o
Assumptions: The acceleration remains
constant.

Analysis:
(a) for θ = 0o

We take the x-axis to the direction of motion, the z-axis to be the upward vertical
direction. The shape of the free surface just before spilling is shown in the figure. The
tangent of the angle the free surface makes with the horizontal is given by
𝑎𝑥
tan 𝜃 = → 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑔𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
𝑔 + 𝑎𝑧

Where az = 0 (for for θ = 0o with respect to the horizontal surface), and from geometric
𝛥ℎ
considerations, we have tan 𝜃 = 𝐿/2. Substituting, we get

∆ℎ 𝑓𝑡 2 𝑓𝑡 𝑓𝑡
𝑎𝑥 = 𝑔 tan 𝜃 = 𝑔 = (32.2 2 ) ≅ 5.9 2 = 1.8 𝑚/𝑠 2
𝐿/2 𝑠 22/2 𝑓𝑡 𝑠

(b) for θ = 30o

At θ = 30o, the free surface of the water is tilted with respect to the horizontal (see
Figure). From geometry analysis, we have the increase in water height with respect to
the container as,

ℎ1 = 𝐿 tan 𝜃 = (22 𝑓𝑡) tan 30𝑜 = 12.7 ft

> height of the truck (i.e., 8 ft)

The water would overthrow when

𝜃 = 30𝑜 , therefore no acceleration of the
truck would be needed.
ME 320 Fluid Flow Homework #2
Prof. Tak-Sing Wong

(10 points) A 5-ft-diameter vertical cylindrical tank open to the atmosphere

contains 2-ft-high water. The tank is now rotated about the centerline, and the
water level drops at the center while it rises at the edges. Determine the angular
velocity at which the bottom of the tank will first be exposed. Also determine
the maximum water height at the moment.

Note: for this question, full credit will be given for answers with
ANY significant digits are given.

Find: Determine the angular velocity at which the bottom of the will first be exposed,
and the maximum water height at this moment.

Assumption: The increase in the rotational speed is very slow so that the liquid in the
container always acts as a rigid body; Water is incompressible.

Analysis:
Taking the center of the bottom surface of the rotating vertical cylinder as the origin (r =
0, z = 0), the equation for the free surface of the liquid is given as

𝜔2 2
𝑧𝑠 (𝑟) = ℎ0 − (𝑅 − 2𝑟 2 )
4𝑔
where h0 = 2 ft is the original height of the liquid before rotation. Just before dry spot
appear at the center of the bottom surface, the height of the liquid at the center equals
zero, and thus zs(0) = 0. Solving the equation above for ω and substituting,

𝑓𝑡
4𝑔ℎ0 √4(32.2 𝑠 2 )(2 𝑓𝑡) 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝜔=√ 2 = 2
= 6.42 ≅ 6 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠
𝑅 (2.5 𝑓𝑡) 𝑠
The maximum vertical height of the liquid occurs at the edges of the tank (r = R = 2.5 ft),
and it is

𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝜔2 𝜔2 𝑅 2 (6 2 )(2.5 𝑓𝑡)2
𝑧𝑠 (𝑅) = ℎ0 − 4𝑔 (𝑅 2 − 2𝑅 2 ) = ℎ0 + 4𝑔
= (2 𝑓𝑡) + 𝑠
𝑓𝑡 = 2.29 𝑓𝑡 = 0.70 𝑚
4(32.2 2)
𝑠