2.3.

POISEUILLE'S FORMULA FOR THE FLOW OF A LIGQUID THROUGH A

CAPILLARY TUBE

r+ dr r
dr

Fig. 2.3(a) Fig. 2.3(b)

difference p 1s maintained between the two ends of the capiliary tube
Suppose a constant pressure
Consider tie steady low of a liquid of coefficient
and radius a, as shown in Fig. 2.3 (a).
of lergth I is a maximum along the axis and is zero
viscosity n\through the tube. 1he velocity ot the liquid
of Consider a cylindrical shel! of the liauid
tube. Assume that there is no radial fiow.
ar the walls of the radius r t dr [Fig. 2.3(6)J. Let the velocity of the
the tube of inner radius r and outer
co-axiai with that on the outer surface be v - dv. (dvidr) is the
the inner surface of the shell be V and
liquid on
velocity gradient.
of the shell =A 2 trl.
=

The surface area

According Newton's law of vISCOus flow, the backward dragging tangential force exerted
to
on the inner layer, oppoSite to the direction of motion
by the outer layer
 Properties of Mate
36
dv
F-n4 ar
=-n 2 nrl dr

The driving force on the liquid shell, accelerating it forward

Ppt
the two ends of the tube and
where, p= pressure difference across
T= Area of cross-section of the inner cylinder.
When the motion is steady,
backward dragging force (F) = The driving force (F,)

n27rl dr pr or dv=r
2
dr.

Integrating,
v =

2
-P+C.
2

where C is a constant of integration.

-P + Cor C=Pa_
When r=a, v =0. Hence, 0
=

2n 2 4 ml
v-a-
4 ml
a -r)
the average velocity of the liquid flowing through
the cylindrical shell.
This gives us
second through this shell
Hence the volume of the liquid that flows out per
of the
dV =
Area of cross-section

and thickness dr
sheiVelocity of flow
of radius r

=27t rdrP(a-)=(ar-r*) dr
4 m 2n
second js obtained by integrating the expression
V7 The volume ofthe liquid that flows out per
for dV between the limits r= 0 to r =
a. a - a d iug

V- a r - P)dr = 4 0

Ttp a
4
Ongth ot he
2 nl 4 eaplaau bula

or (V-
Tt pa )2
8nl 2hrartt