Lesson No.

RELATIVE EQUILIBRIUM OF LIQUIDS

The liquid is then in equilibrium and at rest with respect to the vessel, but it is neither in equilibrium
nor at rest with respect to the earth. In this condition a liquid is said to be in relative equilibrium.
Hydrokinetics deals with liquids that are in motion with respect both to the earth and to their containers.
Relative equilibrium may be considered as an intermediate state between hydrostatics and
hydrokinetics. Two cases of relative equilibrium:

1. Vessel Moving With Constant Linear Acceleration

a. Horizontal Motion a =0 Forces acting at any mass at pt.C are: W = mg

Weight W = mg A A F = ma Inertia Force F = ma C → a

Normal Reaction N which must be perpendicular B N To the surface

Applying the conditions of static equilibrium:

The slope that surface AB will assume for any constant acceleration of the
vessel, tan �� =���� = ����
or tan �� = ���� ����

Therefore, the surface and all planes of equal hydrostatic pressure must be inclined at this angle ��
with the horizontal.

b. Inclined Motion

From the inclined surface: ��

tan �� =������
��
����+������ = ��

��+ ���� W + Fy = mg + may

use + if the acceleration is upwards Fx = max use - if the acceleration is downwards
N ��
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c. Vertical Motion

Consider a mass of fluid accelerated upwards or downwards with an acceleration of a as shown in the
figure. The forces acting at a point h below the liquid surface are the weight of the liquid above the
point, mg, the inertia force , ma , and the pressure force F = �� ����, then,
∑ Fy = 0
F – mg- ma = 0
�� ���� = �� (�� + �� )
But m = W/g
W = �� ������������
m = W/g = �� ��
��, V = h dA inertia force = ma y
W = mg m = �� ℎ ����
��, substitute to the equation above; p = 0
�� ���� =�� ℎ ����
��( a + g ) , dA h
�� ℎ
�� =
��
��( a + g ) = �� ℎ ( 1 + �� )
��
Or �� = �� ℎ ( 1 ± ��) F = �� ����

Use (+) if the acceleration is upwards.

Use (-) if the acceleration is downwards.

Sample Problems:

1. A truck mounted open-top water tank is 10 m long, 2.75 m wide and 2.5 m deep and is 3/5 full of
water. a. Find the greatest horizontal acceleration which the truck may be given w/o spilling the water.
b. Determine the accelerating force on the liquid mass.
c. If the acceleration is increased to 6 m/sec 2, how much water is spilled out?

2. A vessel containing oil ( sp.gr. 0.70 ) moves in a vertical path with an acceleration of 8 ft/sec 2. Find the
intensity of pressure @ a point in the oil 3 ft. beneath its surface when:
a. moving upward with positive acceleration.
b. moving upward with negative acceleration.
c. moving downward with positive acceleration.

3. A vessel containing oil is accelerated on a plane inclined 15° with the horizontal @ 1.2 m/sec2.
Determine the inclination of the oil surface when the acceleration is ;
a. upwards. b. downwards.
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II. Rotating Vessels

When a liquid mass is rotated about a vertical axis at a constant angular speed of �� ( in radians per
second ), every particle experiences a normal acceleration of an which is equal to ��2��= ��2 ��
where �� is the distance of the particle from the axis of rotation. This acceleration causes an inertia
force (centrifugal force or reversed normal effective force) which is equal to ������
����������2 ��.

tan �� =���� ��
��(���������� ���� ��ℎ�� ������������
�������������� ���� ������ ���������� ��
�������� ��ℎ�� ��������)

but tan �� = ����/���� (slope of the curve at any point)

��2
����=
����
���� → ���� =��2 ���� ����

∫ ���� =��2
��
0∫ �� ���� 0
��
��

�� =��2 ��
2
�� 2

Equation of paraboloid at (��, ℎ)

ℎ =��2 ��2 2��

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Liquid Surface Conditions:

• For open cylindrical vessels partly filled :
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• For closed cylindrical vessels partly filled :

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• For closed cylindrical vessels completely filled with liquid :

Sample Problems.
1. An open cylindrical tank, 2m in diameter and 4m high contains water to a depth of 3m, It is rotated
about its own vertical axis with a constant angular speed ��.

a. If �� = 3 ������/������, is there any liquid spilled?

b. What maximum value of �� in rpm can be imposed without spilling any liquid? c. If �� = 8
rad/sec, how much water is spilled out and to what depth will the water stand when brought to rest?
d. What angular speed �� ( in rpm ) will just zero the depth of water at the center of the
tank? e. If �� = 100 rpm, how much area at the bottom of the tank is uncovered.

2. A closed cylindrical vessel, 2 m in diameter and 4 m high is filled with water to a depth of 3 m and
rotated about its own vertical axis at a constant angular speed ��, the air inside the vessel is under a
pressure of 120 kPa.

a. If �� = 12 rad/sec, what is the pressure at the center and circumference at the bottom of the
tank. b. What angular speed �� will just zero the depth of water at the center?
c. If �� = 20 ������/ sec, how much area at the bottom of the tank is uncovered.

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