Fluid Mechanics Assignment

Presented by :- BT20CME066 Omkar Akulwar

Aim:- To use pascal’s law to explain pressure and changes related to pressure
which occurs in Covid infected lung.

PASCAL’S LAW –“ Pressure change at any point in a confined incompressible fluid is transmitted
throughout the fluid such that same change occurs everywhere”

 Normal volume of air inhaled by lungs during 1 cycle is called Tidal volume.
Tidal volume = 500 ml or 0.5 L
= 5 × 10 -4 m3

 Pressure inside lungs during inhalation = 4 mm of Hg

= 533.29 pascal or Pa

 Area of lungs required to absorb oxygen from 500 ml of air,

= 2.871 × 10-6 m2

During Covid infection of lungs, the fluid is filled inside the alveolar sacs of lungs.
Thus, reducing the area of oxygen absorption.

In stage 5 of infection , nearly 88 % of lung is infected and becomes non-functional .

Thus, effective area of absorption of covid infected lungs = (88/100)×2.871 × 10-6

= 0.345 × 10-6 m2

Now by pascal’s law, we know ,

P1 = P 2
Where, P1 = Pressure inside a normal healthy lung during inhalation.

P2 = Pressure inside a covid infected lung during inhalation.

In lungs , pressure always needs to be constant to avoid collapsing or bursting of lungs and damaging the
organ itself.

Thus, P1 = P2 = (F2/A2) since, P= F/A

Where, F = Force exerted by lungs to inhale air inside in one cycle.

A = Area of lungs absorbing the air in one cycle .

Also, F=m×a and a = v/t

Where , m = mass of air inhaled in one cycle

a = acceleration
v = velocity of air while inhalation
= 2.5 m/s
t = time to inhale air in one cycle
= 1 second

Also, m= ρ × V

Where, ρ = density of air

= 1.225 kg / m 3

V = volume of air inhaled

Thus, P1 = P2 = F2 /A2 = (m2 x a2/ A2 ) = (ρ2 x v2 x V2 / t2 x A2 )

Now , V2 = ( 533.29 x 0.345 x 10-6 )/ (2.5 x 1.225 )

= 0.6 x 10-4 m3

But, amount of air inhaled by lungs per minute = Amount of air inhaled in 72 cycles or 72 heartbeats

= (5 x 10-4 ) x 60

= 300 x 10-4 m3
This volume of air is inhaled in 72 heartbeats by healthy lung.

Now, for covid infected lung ,same amount of air is needed to be inhaled to survive ,

Since efficiency of lungs is reduced we will compensate it by increasing amount of heartbeats .

Thus , Number of heartbeats required are = 300 x 10-4/ 0.6 x 10-4

= 166 heartbeats

“Now, when heartbeats are greater than 140 beats per minute it indicates very high blood pressure
and causes severe nervous damage and damage to vital organs”

Conclusion :- By using pascal’s law we conclude that Covid infected lungs are decreased in
oxygen absorbing capacity and thus leads to fatal damage to vital organs .

References :-
1. Google
2. Wikipedia