PRACTICAL 5 VERIFICATION OF

BERNOULLI'S THEOREM
Structure
5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 Objective
5.2 Experiment
5.2.1 Principle

5.2.2 Requirements
5.2.3 Procedure
5.2.4 Observations
5.2.5 Calculations
5.2.6 Results

5.3 Precautions

5.1 INTRODUCTION
Bernoulli's theorem: Bemoulli's equation (developed by D. Bemoulli) states that for
an ideal, incompressible fluid when the flow is steady and continuous, the sum of pressure
head, elevation head and velocity head is constant. Bemoulli's equation is commonly
used when fluids are transferred from one point to another in pipes. The following
assumptions have been made in the derivation of Bemoulli's equation:

1) Fluid is ideal and incompressible( i.e. density is constant)

2) Flow is steady, continuous along the streamline(i.e. one dimensional)

3) Velocity is uniform over the section and is equal to the mean velocity and the forces
acting on the fluid are the gravity and the pressure forces (i.e. flow is frictionless).

Mathematically the equation is expressed as

p v2
- + - + gh = constant
p 2
The accuracy of the results obtained by the application of the Bemoulli's equation to a
particular problem will depend upon the extend to which these assumptions are justified.

5.1.1 Objective
To verify the Bemoulli's theorem

5.2 EXPERIMENT
5.2.1 Principle
Bernoulli's principle states that in fluid flow, an increase in velocity occurs
simultaneously with decrease in pressure. This principle is a simplification of Bemoulli's
equation which states that the sum of all forms of energy in a fluid flowing along an
enclosed path (a streamline) is the same at any two points in that path. It is named after
the Dutch/Swiss mathematician/scientist Daniel Bemoulli.

5.2.2 Requirements
l6 Bemoulli's test rig, pump, stop watch, beaker, measuring cylinder etc.
5.2.3 Procedure Verification of Bernoulli's
Theorem
1. All necessary measuring devices are well connected with equipment
2. The fluid pump is switched on and the tank level is maintained constant.
3. Check if the drain valve is open, keep it wide open and check whether the outlet
pipe ~oes to the drain
4. Check that all the tubings are properly connected to the corresponding pressure
taps and are free from air-bubble. If needed flush the air-bubbles by slowly closing
the exit valve and draining the water (and the air-bubbles) through the manometer
tubing .
.5. Measure the time to collect desired volume in a measuring cylinder to obtain
volumetric flow rate
6. Note the height ofliquid level from the base of the apparatus(base datum) indifferent
tubings for different pressure heads
7. The total head (pressure, kinetic and potential) of diverging cone and covering cone
were compared to verify the Bemoulli's theorem .

• -...- •.... -
-
,-": ' .•.. .;.
,
-- - - .. - - --w'

,
I

•••••
~ , .~
~ 11 !XI I

Fig. 5.1 : Experimental set-up for Bernoulli's theorem

(Courtesy: Pandey et al. 2004 )

5.2.4 Observations
SI. No. Standard Height of Velocity at Velocity Total head
area liquid level tubing head (velocity head-
of tubing (pressure head+ (base line) piezometric head")
datum head)
1
2
3
4, .
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 I

'" Piezometric head is the sum of pressure head and datum head 17
Practical Manual for, .5.2.5 Calculation
Paddy Processing
Bernoulli's equation is given as

2
-P + -v = constant
p 2
Potential head is constant in the experiment, therefore above equation reduces to
2

-p + -v + gh = constant
p 2
1, Calculate volumetric flow rate under ,stea<;lystate condition

2. Calculate the average linear velocity (flow velocity) at each tubing

Volumetric flow rate

v= Area of the tube

v= 4Q
mJ2
Where Q is volumetric flow rate and D is the diameter of the tube

3. Kinetic head for each tubing can be calculated using the following formula
v2
Kinetic head = 2
4. Total head can be obtained adding pressure head and kinetic head

5.2.6 Results
1. Report the total head obtained by tubing 1 and 11

2. Report the total head obtained by tubing 2 and 10

3. Report the total head obtained by tubing 3 and 9

4. Report the total head obtained by tubing 4 and 8

5. Report the total head obtained by tubing 5 and 7

6. Report whether Bemoulli's theorem is verified or not.

5.3 PRECAUTIONS
• All measuring devices should be well connected with the equipment

• All the tubings are properly connected to the corresponding pressure taps and are
free from air-bubble

• The height of liquid level from the base of the apparatus (base datum) in different
tubings for different pressure heads should be noted properly

18