ENT241 – Fluid Mechanics I Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology

Lab Module Universiti Malaysia Perlis

EXPERIMENT 2: Bernoulli’s Theorem Demonstration

A. Introduction
Energy presents in the form of pressure, velocity, and elevation in fluids with no energy exchange
due to viscous dissipation, heat transfer, or shaft work (pump or some other device). The
relationship among these three forms of energy was first stated by Daniel Bernoulli (1700-1782),
based upon the conservation of energy principle. Bernoulli’s theorem pertaining to a flow
streamline is based on three assumptions: steady flow, incompressible fluid, and no losses from
the fluid friction. The validity of Bernoulli’s equation will be examined in this experiment.

B. Objective
The objective of this experiment is to investigate the validity of the Bernoulli’s equation when it is
applied to a steady flow of water through a tapered duct.

C. Apparatus

Figure 1: Apparatus for Bernoulli’s theorem experiment.

1. Manometers tubes 4. Unions 7. Gland nut
2. Test section 5. Air bleed valve 8. Hypodermic probe
3. Water inlet 6. Flow control valve 9. Adjustable feet

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ENT241 – Fluid Mechanics I Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Lab Module Universiti Malaysia Perlis

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the test section.

D. Experiment Procedure
1. Place the apparatus on a level surface and adjust the screwed-in feet until the built-in
circular spirit level indicates that the base is horizontal.
2. Connect the apparatus inlet to the bench flow supply, close the bench valve and the
apparatus flow control valve, and start the pump.
3. Gradually open the bench valve to fill the test section with water.
4. Remove air from the pressure tapping points and manometers by opening the air bleed
valve at the top right side of the manometer board.
5. Close the bench valve and switch off the pump.
6. Gently open the air bleed valve and allow the water level to fall to a bit below the middle
before gently re-closing the air valve.
7. Switch on the pump and adjust the apparatus control valve for high flow rate measurement.
8. Take readings of manometers A to F. The hypodermic probe should be retracted from the
test section during this reading.
9. Measure the total head from manometer H by traversing the hypodermic probe along the
test section from A to F.
10. Measure the flow rate by a timed volume collection. To do that, close the opening in water
tank and use a stopwatch to measure the time it takes to accumulate a known volume of
fluid in the tank, which is read from the measurement tube. You should collect fluid for at
least one minute to minimize timing errors. You may repeat the flow measurement twice to
check for repeatability.
11. Gently close the apparatus control valve for low flow rate measurement.
12. Repeat step 9 and 11.

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ENT241 – Fluid Mechanics I Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Lab Module Universiti Malaysia Perlis

E. Analysis

1. Calculate the velocity at point A to F using Bernoulli’s theorem (𝑣𝑖𝐵) and continuity equation
(𝑣𝑖𝐶), and the difference between 𝑣𝑖𝐵 and 𝑣𝑖𝐶.
2. Plot the following graphs:
2.1. Total pressure head vs tapping point
2.2. 𝑣𝑖𝐵 vs tapping point
2.3. 𝑣𝑖𝐶 vs tapping point

F. Discussion

1. Comment on the variation of 𝑣𝑖𝐵 and 𝑣𝑖𝐶 with tapping point position.
2. Comment on and explain the discrepancies between 𝑣𝑖𝐵 and 𝑣𝑖𝐶. What are the possible
sources of error?
3. Why the trapped air must be removed from the apparatus before measurement can be
made?
4. Why the water level in manometer A to F are different?
5. What is the impact on measurement accuracy if we change the working fluid to mercury?

G. Conclusion
1. Make a conclusion on this experiment based on your results.
2. Give examples of industrial application.

H. References
Give at least 2 references. Write your references in IEEE style.

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ENT241 – Fluid Mechanics I Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Lab Module Universiti Malaysia Perlis

Data and result

Liter Time Flow rate (L/min) Flow rate (m3/s)

10 51.33 s 11.69 1.9480 X 10-4
10 58.91 s 10.18 1.6975 X 10-4

Cross Using Bernoulli Equation Using Continuity equation Difference

section
# h*=hG hi 𝑉𝑖𝑏 = √2𝑔(ℎ − ℎ𝑖) 𝜋𝑑2 𝑄𝑎𝑣
𝐴= 𝑉𝑖𝑐 =
(mm) (mm) (m/s) 4 𝐴 Vib – Vic
(m2) (m/s) (m/s)
A 123 115 0.396 5.309 X 10-4 0.367 0.029
222 218 0.280 0.319 -0.039
B 122 105 0.577 3.664 X 10-4 0.531 0.046
222 213 0.420 0.463 -0.043
C 122 57 1.129 2.010 X 10-4 0.969 0.160
231 177 1.029 0.844 0.184
D 121 84 0.852 3.141 X 10-4 0.620 0.232
227 201 0.714 0.540 0.174
E 134 89 0.939 3.801 X 10-4 0.512 0.427
227 205 0.657 0.446 0.211
F 134 94 0.886 5.309 X 10-4 0.367 0.519
229 211 0.594 0.319 0.275

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ENT241 – Fluid Mechanics I Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Lab Module Universiti Malaysia Perlis

2) Graph

2.1)

Graph Total Pressure Head against Tapping Point

250

200
Total Pressure Head

150

100

50

0
26 21.6 16 20 22 26
Tapping Point

1st flow rate 2nd flow rate

2.2)

Graph Vib against Tapping point

1.2

0.8
Vib

0.6

0.4
1st flow rate
0.2
2nd flow rate
0
26 21.6 16 20 22 26
Tapping point

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ENT241 – Fluid Mechanics I Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Lab Module Universiti Malaysia Perlis

2.3)

Graph Vic Against Tapping point

1.2

0.8
Vic

0.6
1st flow rate
0.4 2nd flow rate

0.2

0
26 21.6 16 20 22 26
Tapping point