B48BB

Process Engineering A:
1. Fluid Statics

Revision 1

September 2017 v1 B48BB © Heriot-Watt University 1

 Past Exam Question 1

1. (a) Starting with the following element of fluid:

• show from first principles that, if the fluid is stationary,

pressure must be equal in all directions. [8 marks]

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 Past Exam Question 1

• (b) An inclined manometer is fitted to a tank. The manometer

fluid is Dowtherm A (s.g. = 1.056). The manometer has an
angle of 30° and is open to the air. The manometer reads a
length of 60 cm.

(i) Derive an expression which gives the pressure in the tank.

[4 marks]
(ii) Calculate the pressure in the tank. [2 marks]

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 Past Exam Question 1

• (c) Explain, in terms of intermolecular forces, why a water

meniscus on glass curves upwards whilst a mercury meniscus
curves downwards. [6 marks]
Total: 20 marks

{Note: I did not devise this question.}

Answers: (b) (ii) 104.41 kPa

Please give this question a go.

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 Additional Revision Question

Four vessels contain aqueous adipic acid solution. Each vessel is

of a different shape, yet they are all filled to the same height, h
(relative to the base).

At a distance of 5 cm from the base, the lowest pressure will be

exerted on WHICH VESSEL?

Hint – Pascal’s Law:

The pressure will be
the same in every vessel.
Source: Clinical Gate

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 Additional Revision Question
•  
Hint – Pascal’s Law:
The pressure will be
the same in every vessel.
Source: Clinical Gate

We know that: .
So?
• All 4 vessels contain aqueous adipic acid solution, hence:

• They are all filled to the same height:

• g is a constant!

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 Open Book Web Test 1 – Fluid Statics

• Runs from 6:00pm on 28th September (Thursday) to 12:00pm

on 8th October 2017 (Sunday)
• 2 attempts, of which 1 is mandatory
• Duration: 80 minutes each time
So what is
your
Very generous! strategy?

• 10 questions:
 Short answer – 4 questions
 True/False – 2 questions
 Multiple choice (a, b, c, d) – 4 questions Note: 1 question allows
for 3 correct answers!

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 Open Book Web Test 1 – Fluid Statics

STRATEGY (or your tactics):

• Set up your personal goal – you really need one!

 e.g. 1st attempt – 6 correct answers
Progress..
 2nd attempt – 8 correct answers
• Give yourself time to achieve this
 e.g. 1st attempt on 30th September (Saturday): you “only” score 5 correct
answers Don’t panic!

 use feedback/advice in the web test as guidelines – can you learn

from/take advantage of these?
 go back to Lecture/Workshop/Tutorial material, have a look at your Study
Guide, go online, …
 ask for help – nothing wrong in this because you are learning!

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 Open Book Web Test 1 – Fluid Statics

STRATEGY (or your tactics):

• Retake the web test (2nd attempt) on – say – 6th September

[when you feel like: “OK, I am ready.”].

Note: by now you probably know what you are good at (e.g.
calculations in hydrostatic pressure problems) and what still
troubles you (e.g. multiple choice questions).

It eases off
l u c k! Work on your weaknesses! a lot of
d
Goo stress!

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