MISN-0-48

INTRODUCTION TO
FLUID STATICS AND DYNAMICS

INTRODUCTION TO FLUID STATICS AND DYNAMICS

by
J. Kovacs, Michigan State University

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Archimedes’ Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3. Bernoulli’s Theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
A. Resource Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Project PHYSNET · Physics Bldg. · Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI

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ID Sheet: MISN-0-48

THIS IS A DEVELOPMENTAL-STAGE PUBLICATION

Title: Introduction to Fluid Statics and Dynamics OF PROJECT PHYSNET

Author: Jules Kovacs, Michigan State University

The goal of our project is to assist a network of educators and scientists in
Version: 2/1/2000 Evaluation: Stage 2 transferring physics from one person to another. We support manuscript
processing and distribution, along with communication and information
Length: 1 hr; 16 pages
systems. We also work with employers to identify basic scientific skills
Input Skills: as well as physics topics that are needed in science and technology. A
number of our publications are aimed at assisting users in acquiring such
1. Draw a one-body force diagram, given the environment of an ob-
skills.
ject (MISN-0-10).
2. Set up and solve static equilibrium problems (MISN-0-6). Our publications are designed: (i) to be updated quickly in response to
3. Use the work-energy principle (MISN-0-20). field tests and new scientific developments; (ii) to be used in both class-
room and professional settings; (iii) to show the prerequisite dependen-
4. Use the principle of conservation of energy for conservative forces
cies existing among the various chunks of physics knowledge and skill,
(MISN-0-21).
as a guide both to mental organization and to use of the materials; and
Output Skills (Knowledge): (iv) to be adapted quickly to specific user needs ranging from single-skill
instruction to complete custom textbooks.
K1. State Archimedes’ Principle, referring to an appropriate diagram.
K2. Apply the principle of energy conservation to derive Bernoulli’s New authors, reviewers and field testers are welcome.
Theorem starting with a careful definition of each of the quantities
in the expression of the theorem. PROJECT STAFF
Output Skills (Problem Solving):
Andrew Schnepp Webmaster
S1. Start from the one-body diagram and Archimedes’ Principle and Eugene Kales Graphics
determine the density of objects immmersed in liquids, given in- Peter Signell Project Director
formatin about the volume of the object, the depth of immersion
and the apparent weight. Also be able to determine all of the
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
forces on an immersed object.
S2. Use Bernoulli’s Equation and the continuity equation to solve
D. Alan Bromley Yale University
problems dealing with the flow of incompressible fluids.
E. Leonard Jossem The Ohio State University
External Resources (Required): A. A. Strassenburg S. U. N. Y., Stony Brook
1. M. Alonso and E. Finn, Physics, Addison-Wesley (1970). For avail-
Views expressed in a module are those of the module author(s) and are
ability, see this module’s Local Guide.
not necessarily those of other project participants.

c 2001, Peter Signell for Project PHYSNET, Physics-Astronomy Bldg.,

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Mich. State Univ., E. Lansing, MI 48824; (517) 355-3784. For our liberal
use policies see:
http://www.physnet.org/home/modules/license.html.

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MISN-0-48 1 MISN-0-48 2

INTRODUCTION TO Acknowledgments
FLUID STATICS AND DYNAMICS Preparation of this module was supported in part by the National
by Science Foundation, Division of Science Education Development and
Research, through Grant #SED 74-20088 to Michigan State Univer-
J. Kovacs, Michigan State University sity.

1. Introduction A. Resource Summary

The general principles that have been developed and applied to dis- MOD: This module’s Problem Supplement.
crete particles and rigid systems, consisting of distributions of particles,
also apply to systems which may be considered as continuous distribu- AF: M. Alonso and E. Finn, Physics, Addison-Wesley (1970). For avail-
tions and which are not part of a rigid system. The motion of fluids and ability, see this module’s Local Guide.
the static (stationary) behavior of rigid objects immersed in a fluid are
examples of the application of the general principles to such systems. 1 Skill Ref. Items
Archimedes’ Principle summarizes the effects expected when the princi- K1 AF p. 115; Problem 10.29
ples associated with static equilibrium are applied to objects immersed in
fluids. Bernoulli’s Theorem results from the application of the principle K2 AF Sect. 10.13, Fig. 10.20
of energy conservation to the steady state motion of a fluid.
Skill Ref. Items
S1 MOD Probl. Suppl., Problem 1
2. Archimedes’ Principle
Note: The designation AF below refers to M. Alonso and E. Finn, S2 MOD Probl. Suppl., Problem 3
Physics, Addison-Wesley (1970). For availability, see this module’s Local AF Sect. 10.13, Figs. 10.22, 10.23; Ex. 10.10; Question 14
Guide. (p. 204), Problems 10.26, 10.27, 10.28

AF: Archimedes’ Principle relates to static equilibrium of objects im-

mersed in fluids and is treated only very briefly in AF. It is stated
on page 115 between equations 7.22 and 7.23 where it arises in
conection with a discussion about the limiting speed of an object
falling through a viscous fluid. Its derivation appears as an exercise.

3. Bernoulli’s Theorem
AF: Section 10.13 (pp. 200-203). The basic equation of Bernoulli’s The-
orem is derived and applied to an example, fluid flow in a pipe.
1 The fluid movement of masses of air around the surface of the earth as a conse-

quence of the forces arising due to the earth’s rotation is examined briefly in (MISN-
0-18).

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MISN-0-48 LG-1 MISN-0-48 PS-1

LOCAL GUIDE PROBLEM SUPPLEMENT

The readings for this unit are on reserve for you in the Physics-Astronomy CAUTION: Carry along the dimensions of all of the quantites that go
Library, Room 230 in the Physics-Astronomy Building. Ask for them as into your solution to assure yourself that you are using a consistent set of
“The readings for CBI Unit 48.” Do not ask for them by book title. units. When you do the appropriate cancellations of units, each term in
your equation will have the same dimensions.

1. A large container, open at the top, is half-filled with water (density

1.00 gm/cm3 ). On top of this, filling the container, floats a layer of oil
(density 0.60 gm/cm3 ). Into this two-layer fluid is immersed a cube of
side length L of wood whose density is 0.90 gm/cm3 .
a. Determine where the cube comes to rest when equilibrium is estab-
lished. Is is at the bottom of the container? At the air-oil interface?
At the oil-water interface? Wherever it is, determine the fraction
of the cube is in each medium (air, oil, water).
b. Determine the fraction of the cube that would be out of water if
the oil were removed.
1. Brief Answers (detailed assistance is given in the Spec. Ass. Suppl.):
a. One-fourth in oil, three-fourths in water, none in air. [S-1]
b. One-tenth in air, nine-tenths in water. [S-2]
2. AF: Problem 10.29.
3. An open water tank has its upper surface of water 2.0 × 101 meters
above an exit pipe. At the upper surface of the water, the pressure is
1.00 atm and the speed of the water is negligible.
a. Determine the pressure at the exit pipe when no water is flowing.
b. Determine how much the pressure at the exit pipe is diminished if
water flows there at a speed of 8.0 m/s.
c. Determine the maximum permissible speed of flow through this pipe
if the pressure at the exit pipe is to remain above 2.0 atm.
d. Determine the minimum diameter of the exit pipe is needed to main-
tain a pressure of 2.0 atm or more and the need for water may be as
great as 1.0 × 103 kg/sec. Numerical assistance: One atmosphere
of pressure may be taken as 1.00 × 105 N/m2 , the density of water
as 1.00 × 103 kg/m3 .

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MISN-0-48 PS-2 MISN-0-48 AS-1

Answers (detailed assistance is given in the Spec. Ass. Suppl.):

a. 2.96 atm. Help: [S-3] SPECIAL ASSISTANCE SUPPLEMENT

b. diminished by 0.32 atm. Help: [S-3]
c. 13.9 m/s Help: [S-3] S-1 (from PS-problem 1a)
d. 0.30 m diameter Because this is a static equilibrium problem, the condition that must be
satisfied is that the resultant force on the cube must be zero. That is,
4. AF: Question 14 (p. 204), Problems 10.26, 10.27, and 10.28. the weight of the cube, W , is balanced by the upward bouyant force B
on the cube exerted by the fluids.
Answers:
The upward force B, according to Archimedes, is equal in magnitude to
10.26 a. 10 m/s, 2.38 × 105 N/m2 the weight of the volume of fluid displaced by the object. If the cube
b. 300 kg/min (or 0.3 m3 /min) were immersed completely in the oil only, the weight of oil displaced
c. P1 + (1/2)ρv12 is the energy per unit volume This divided by (the weight of an amount of oil whose volume equals the cube’s volume)
ρ is the energy per kilogram Answer is 250 joules per kilogram would be less than the cube’s weight so B would be less than W and
10.27 a. 10 m/s, 2.57 × 105 N/m2 the cube would sink deeper. If the cube were completely immersed in
b. 300 kg/min water only, it would not sink so deep that it would rise because B would
be larger than W and the net force on the cube would be upward, not
c. 250 J/kg
zero. Hence, in the oil-water situation, equilibrium would be occur with
10.28 b. 11.2 s the cube partially submerged in the oil and partially in the water.
Let x be the height of block in the oil, so L−x is the height of block in the
water (draw a sketch). The total weight of fluid displaced is the weight
of oil of volume L2 x plus the weight of water of volume L2 (L − x).
Hence B is B = ρwater gL2 (L − x) + ρoil gL2 x and W = ρwood gL3 , the
weight of the cube. Equating and solving for x,

(ρwater − ρoil ) L
x= = 0.25 L.
ρwater − ρwood
Thus one-fourth of the cube is in oil, three-fourths in water.

S-2 (from PS-problem 1b)

The bouyant force B is due only to the weight of that volume of water
that’s equal to the volume of the part of the cube that is submerged).

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MISN-0-48 AS-2 MISN-0-48 AS-3

S-3 (from PS-Problem 3) S-6 (from PS-Problem 3a)

Application of Bernoulli’s Theorem solves each of the parts of this prob- With the exit pipe closed v1 =0, v2 =0. Choosing the zero of altitude
lem. to be at the top surface in the tank (choosing the reference level for
1 2 potential energy at the top surface), then
ρv + p + ρgy = constant,
2
y1 = 0, y2 = −20 meters.
meaning that this quantity has the same value when evaluated at any
p1 = 1 atmosphere = 105 newtons/m2 .
point in the fluid. Using the subscript “1” for the top surface, and
subscript “2” for a point in the fluid just at the exit pipe: p2 = ?, ρ = 103 kg/m3
105 N/m2 = p2 + (103 kg/m3 )(9.8 m/s2 )(−20 m)
1 2 1
ρv1 + p1 + ρgy1 = ρv22 + p2 + ρgy2 . p2 = 105 N/m2 + 1.96 × 105 kg/(m s2 )
2 2
Note: 1 kg/(m s2 ) = 1 N/m2
Now try to solve each part of the whole problem without further assis-
tance! If you find you just can’t do it, help for part (a) is given in [S-6], p2 = 2.96 × 105 N/m2 = 2.96 atmospheres.
for part (b) in [S-5], for part (c) in [S-4], and for part (d) in [S-7].
S-7 (from PS-Problem 3d)
S-4 (from PS-Problem 3c) The rate of efflux of fluid (in kg/s) through opening of cross-sectional
If you want the pressure at the exit pipe to remain above 2 atmospheres, area A is ρ dV /dt = dm/dt = ρAv, where dv/dt is the volume crossing
then the maximum speed must be such that area A per unit time and v is the velocity of efflux.
2
(1/2) ρv2,max = 0.96 × 105 N/m2 For a given rate, a large value of A requires a small value of v and
vice-versa.
v2,max = 13.9 m/s
If vmax = 13.9 m/s then, as seen above, the pressure is greater than
2 atmospheres. With the efflux rate fixed, this puts a minimum restric-
S-5 (from PS-Problem 3b) tion on A.
Again v1 = 0 (assume the tower is large enough so that the speed of a Therefore,
point on the surface at the top is negligible). 103 kg/s = (10 kg/m3 )(A)(13.9 m/s)
p1 = (1/2)ρv22 + p2 + ρgy2 A = (1/13.9) m2
105 N/m2 = (1/2)(103 kg/m3 )(8 m/s)2 + p2 − 1.96 × 105 kg/(m s2 ) πR2 = (1/13.9) m2
p2 = (105 + 1.96 × 105 − 0.32 × 105 ) N/m2 = 2.64 atmospheres, R = 0.15 meters, radius of outlet.
if water flows out of the exit pipe (diminished by 0.32 atmospheres with
the water flowing).

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MISN-0-48 ME-1 MISN-0-48 ME-2

Y = 7.0 × 101 ft. The outside pressure is 1.000 atmosphere (which is

equal to 2116 lbf ft−2 ).
MODEL EXAM
a. What is the pressure at the outlet (3)? [A]
1. See Knowledge Skills K1-K2. b. What is the pressure at the top of the reservoir? [N]
2. A 2.00 cubic centimeter cube of gold, whose den- c. What is the flow velocity of the fluid at the top of the reservoir?
sity is 19.3 times that of water is suspended from [G]
a spring scale and totally immersed in kerosene d. What is the flow velocity at outlet (3)? [E]
(the cube hangs inside the fluid touching neither
e. What volume of water discharges from the pipe per second? [B]
sides nor bottom of the container). Kerosene has
a density 0.80 times that of water. The spring f. What is the rate (volume per second) at which the water flows past
scale is calibrated to read, in newtons, the value a cross-sction of pipe at points (1) and (2)? [M]
of the tension in the cord connecting the scale to g. What is the flow velocity at (1)? [J]
whatever is suspended below it. h. What is the flow velocity at (2)? [D]
i. Find the pressure at (1). [L]
a. Draw a one-body force diagram showing all of the forces acting on
the cube. [O] j. Find the pressure at (2). [F]

b. Evaluate the magnitude of the bouyant force on the cube. [K] k. How high above the outlet can the level of point (2) be before the
pressure at (2) drops below zero? (If the pressure gets negative, the
c. What would the scale read if the cube were hanging in the air? [C] water must support a tension, which it cannot. Hence the countin-
d. What does the scale read when the cube is immersed in the gasoline? uous flow breaks up and the flow subsequently ceases.) [I]
[H]

3.
Brief Answers:

2 A. 1 atm.
B. 60 m3 /s
H
C. 0.388 newtons
Y 3
D. 60 m/s

1 E. 80 ft/sec
F. 0.226 atmospheres
A very large reservoir is filled to a height H above a discharge outlet
which sends water through a vertical loop before discharging it at point G. zero
(3) into the atmosphere. Water weighs 62.4 lbf per cubic foot. At point H. 0.372 newtons
(1), the pipe has a cross-sectional area A1 = 1.00 f t2 , at point (2)
A2 = 1.00 f t2 , while at (3), A3 = 0.75 f t2 . H = 1.00 × 103 ft and I. 77.7 ft

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MISN-0-48 ME-3

J. 60 m/s

K. 0.0157 newtons

L. 2.29 atmospheres
M. 60 m3 /s at both sections.

N. 1 atm.
O. Your diagram should show three forces. Two upward, due to the
bouyant force of the liquid and the tension in the cord, and one down-
ward, due to the gravity pull of the earth.

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