19

Experiment No. 3
Fall Velocity of Sphere
1. Objective(s):

The activity aims to determine the viscosity of the fluid by measuring the fall velocity of the sphere

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:

1. Use the techniques and skills in fluid mechanics to determine the viscosity of fluid using fall
velocity measurement
2. Apply the techniques and skills acquired relevant to professional engineering practice.

3. Discussion:

One of the properties of homogeneous liquids is their resistance to motion. A measure of this resistance
is known as viscosity. It can be measured in different, standardized methods or test. In this experiment,
viscosity will be measured with a falling sphere viscometer.

When an object falls through a fluid medium, the object reaches a constant final speed or terminal velocity.
If this terminal velocity is sufficiently low, then the various forces acting on the object can be described
with exact expressions. The forces acting on a sphere, for example, that is falling at terminal velocity
through a liquid are:

Figure 3.1: Free Body Diagram of Falling Sphere

 20

Weight of Sphere – Buoyant Force – Drag Force = 0

16

16
�� 3− 3��
3− ������ μ����
=0
��������
(3.1)

�� −��
2( ��
�� )
��
μ=
18�� (3.2)

Where �� �a�nd ��
��are density of the sphere and liquid respectively, V is the sphere’s terminal velocity, D is the
diameter of the sphere and μ is the viscosity of the liquid. In solving the preceding equation, the viscosity of the
liquid can be determined. The above expression for drag is valid only if the following equation is valid if

������
μ<1 (3.3)

Where D is the sphere diameter. Once the viscosity of the liquid is found, the above ratio should be calculated to be
certain in that mathematical model gives an accurate description.

For the experimental setup, the radius of the cylindrical tube must be large enough so that the boundary effects of
the tube wall can be neglected. This will cause additional friction with the wall leading to lower values of measured
velocity. An empirical correction factor L, Ladenburg factor, must be used to correct the velocity of the sphere given
the formula:

��
��=1+2.1 >1 (3.4)
��

Where r is the radius of the sphere while R is the radius of the cylindrical tube. The equation for calculating the
viscosity with the correction factor will be.

2( ��
�� −��
�� )
��
μ= (3.5)
18����
 21

4. Resources/Instruments Required:

• Graduated cylinder
• Scale
• Stopwatch
• Several small spheres with weight and diameter to be measured
• Test liquid
• Caliper
• Ruler
• Thread

5. Procedure:

Unit Weight of the Sphere

1. Measure the diameter of sphere using the caliper. Use the value of diameter to calculate for
its volume.
2. Use the weighing scale to determine its weight.
3. Compute for the unit weight of the sphere by dividing the weight by its volume.
4. Repeat for the other spheres with two trials.

Viscosity of the Fluid

1. Fill the graduated cylinder with fluid up to about 3 cm below the rim of the tube.
2. Attached a thread on the sphere for easier retrieval.
3. Select two sections in the cylinder where to start and end the timer as the sphere passes.
Measure the distance between the two sections.

Figure 3.2: Experimental Setup for Fall Velocity of Sphere

4. Drop the sphere into the cylinder liquid record the time it takes to fall between the sections.
The distance divided by the measured time gives the terminal velocity (V) of the sphere.
5. Compute for the value of absolute viscosity using eq. 3.5.
6. Repeat the measurement for the other spheres.
 22

Data and Results:

Course: CE 309 Section: CE22S4 - L1
Experiment No.: 3 Date Performed: MARCH 04, 2024
Group No.: 1 Date Submitted: MARCH 04, 2024
Group Leader: BATANG, EUGENE A. Instructor: ENGR. LARRIZ SAMUDIO
Group Members:
1. BELTRAN, JEROME 4. MANAIG, RAVEN RUSSEL JON
2. BANAGA, JOHN KENN 5.
3. CAPULONG, FRANCIS 6.

Unit Weight of Sphere

Sphere Volume Mass Unit Weight

Trial Weight (N)
Diameter (m) (m3) (kg) γ (N/m3)
-6
1 0.0152 1.84 X 10 0.0050 0.0491 26,684.7826
-6
2 0.0152 1.84 X 10 0.0050 0.0491 26,684.7826
Average 0.0152 1.84 X 10
-6
0.0050 0.0491 26,684.7826
-6
1 0.0194 3.82 X 10 0.0340 0.3335 87,303.6649
-6
2 0.0194 3.82 X 10 0.0340 0.3335 87,303.6649
Average 0.0194 3.82 X 10
-6
0.0340 0.3335 87,303.6649
-6
1 0.0251 8.28 X 10 0.0220 0.2158 26,062.8019
-6
2 0.0251 8.28 X 10 0.0220 0.2158 26,062.8019
Average 0.0251 8.28 X 10
-6
0.0220 0.2158 26,062.8019
 23

Viscosity of Fluid:

WATER
Liquid: ____________

Absolute Kinematic
Sphere Diameter Distance viscosity viscosity
Trial Time (s) L
(m) (m)
μ (Pa-s) Ѵ (m2/s)
-3
1 0.0152 0.21 0.36 1.7891 0.2095 2.1291X10
-3
2 0.0152 0.21 0.44 1.7891 0.2560 2.6016X10
-3
3 0.0194 0.21 0.25 2.0072 0.9630 9.7666X10
-3
4 0.0194 0.21 0.20 2.0072 0.7704 7.8293X10
-3
5 0.0251 0.21 0.35 2.3031 0.4156 4.2236X10
-3
6 0.0251 0.21 0.26 2.3031 0.3088 3.1382X10
Average 0.0199 0.21 0.31 2.0331 0.4872 4.9512X10
-3

DISHWASHING LIQUID
Liquid: ____________

Absolute Kinematic
Sphere Diameter Distance viscosity viscosity
Trial Time (s) L
(m) (m)
μ (Pa-s) Ѵ (m2/s)
-3
1 0.0152 0.21 6.16 1.7891 3.3200 2.9856X10
-3
2 0.0152 0.21 5.91 1.7891 3.1853 2.6644X10
-3
3 0.0194 0.21 0.51 2.0072 1.9327 1.7386X10
-3
4 0.0194 0.21 0.48 2.0072 1.8190 1.6378X10
-3
5 0.0251 0.21 6.07 2.3031 6.6567 6.9863X10
-3
6 0.0251 0.21 5.54 2.3031 6.0755 5.4636X10
Average 0.0199 0.21 4.1117 2.0331 3.8315 3.4456X10
-3
 24

OIL
Liquid: ____________

Absolute Kinematic
Sphere Diameter Distance viscosity viscosity
Trial Time (s) L
(m) (m)
μ (Pa-s) Ѵ (m2/s)

1 0.015
0.0152 0.185
0.21 0.42
1.21 0.004
1.7891 0.3678
0.6732 0.000414
6.3509X10
-4

2 0.019
0.0152 0.185
0.21 0.33
1.41 0.010
1.7891 0.6578
0.7845 0.000723
7.4009X10
-4

-3
3 0.0194 0.21 0.36 2.0072 1.3733 1.2956X10
-3
4 0.0194 0.21 0.37 2.0072 1.4115 1.3316X10
-4
5 0.0251 0.21 0.49 2.3031 0.5554 5.3296X10
-4
6 0.0251 0.21 0.46 2.3031 0.5214 4.9188X10
Average 0.0199 0.21 0.7167 2.0331 0.8866 8.3642X10
-4

Sample Computations:

W = kg(9.81) = 0.0050 X 9.81 = 0.0491N L = 1+2.1Rr

N = ------------
0.0491 = 26,684.7826 N/m2 0.0152/2
Y = ---- L = 1+2.1(-----------------)
m 1.84X10
-6 0.04045/2
D (ɤ ɤ L = 1.7891
= -------------
18YL
(0.0152) (26,684.7826-10,398.8) V = ----------
Y = -------------------------------------------------- P
18 (0.21/1.21) 1.7891 0.6732
V = ----------------------
0.00106 X 106
= 0.6732Pa-s -4
V = -6.3509X10
 25

Observations:

Conclusions:
 26

Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT

CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3
I. Laboratory Skills
Members do not Members occasionally
Manipulative Members always demonstrate
demonstrate needed demonstrate needed
Skills needed skills.
skills. skills
Members are able to set- Members are able to set-up
Experimental Members are unable to up the materials with the material with minimum
Set-up set-up the materials.
supervision. supervision.
Members do not Members occasionally
Members always demonstrate
Process Skills demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted
targeted process skills.
process skills. process skills.
Members follow safety
Safety Members do not follow Members follow safety
precautions most of the
Precautions safety precautions. precautions at all times.
time.
II. Work Habits
Timeliness of Members do not finish on Members finish ahead of time
time with incomplete Members finish on time with complete data and time to
Work with incomplete data.
data. revise data.
Members have defined
Members do not know responsibilities most of Members are on tasks and
their tasks and have no have defined responsibilities
Cooperative and the time. Group conflicts
defined responsibilities. at all times. Group conflicts
Teamwork are cooperatively
Group conflicts have to are cooperatively managed at
managed most of the
be settled by the teacher. all times.
time.
Clean and orderly
Clean and orderly workplace
Neatness and Messy workplace during workplace with
at all times during and after
Orderliness and after the experiment. occasional mess during
the experiment.
and after the experiment.
Members require Members require
Responsibility supervision by the occasional supervision Members do not need to be
supervised by the teacher.
teacher. by the teacher.
Other Comments/Observations: Total Score

(���������� ����������
)
= 00
������������
24 ×1