1.

0 INTRODUCTION

The impact of a jet experiment shows students the force produced by a jet of water as it strikes
a flat plate, curve surface or hemispherical cup. They can then compare this to the momentum
flow rate in the jet. Water jet momentum in civil engineering used in water dams (to move the
turbines, next generating electricity) and in water pressure test in building piping system
(Hydraulic pressure test). Water turbines are widely used throughout the world to generate
power. By allowing fluid under pressure to strike the vanes of a turbine wheel, mechanical
work can be produced. Rotational motion is then produced by the force generated as the jet
strikes the vanes. One of the common types of water turbines is pelton wheel. In this type of
water turbine, one or more water jets are directed tangentially on to a vanes or buckets that are
fastened on the rim of the turbine disc. The impact of the water on the vanes generates a torque
on the wheel causing it to rotate and to develop power.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

1) To compare the forces obtained from the experiment and the actual force using
theoretical formula.
2) To understand correctly how a turbine (a Pelton wheel for example) works, students
need to understand how jet deflection produces a force on turbine vanes.
3) To understand how this force affects the rate of momentum flow in the jet.

3.0 EQUIPMENTS

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1) Jet impact apparatus

2) Hydraulic bench

3) Flat plate

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4) Curve plate

5) Hemispherical cup

6) Jockey weight

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 7) Stopwatch

4.0 PROCEDURES

1) Disassemble the top that is placed over the transparent water tank to place the flat
surface in the impact place and secure to the vertical rod that is part of the calibration
system assembled in the top.

2) Position the weight carrier on the weight platform and add weights until the top of the
target is clear of the stop and the weight platform is floating in mid position. Move the
pointer so that it is aligned with the weight platform. Record the value of weights on
the weight carrier.

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3) Start the pump and establish the water flow by steadily opening the bench regulating
valve until it is fully open.

4) The vane will now be deflected by the impact of the jet. Place additional weights onto
the weight carrier until the weight platform is again floating in mid position. Measure
the flow rate and record the result on the test sheet, together with the corresponding
value of weight on the tray. Observe the form of the deflected jet and note its shape.

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5) Close the control valve and switch off the pump. Allow the apparatus to drain.

6) Record the volume of water and time to determine the flow rate. Also, record the weight
on the lever.

7) Repeat the procedure for 120o curved plate and hemispherical cup.

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5.0 RESULTS AND CALCULATION

a) Flat plate

Mass of jockey Volume of Flow rate Q

Time t (s) Q2
weight m (g) water V (m3) (m3/s)

20 0.005 25 2 10-4 4 10-8

40 0.005 23 2.17 10-4 4.71 10-8

60 0.005 16 3.13 10-4 9.80 10-8

80 0.005 15 3.33 10-4 1.11 10-7

To find flow rate,

Volume of water (m3)

Time (s)

Volume of
Time t (s) Flow rate Q (m3/s)
water V (m3)

0.005 25 0.005 -4
25 = 2 10
0.005 23 0.005 -4
23 = 2.17 10
0.005 16 0.005 -4
16 = 3.13 10
0.005 15 0.005 -4
15 = 3.33 10

b) 1200 curved plate

Mass of jockey Volume of Flow rate Q

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Time t (s) 3
Q2
weight m (g) water V (m ) (m /s)

20 0.005 29 1.72 10-4 2.96 10-8

40 0.005 27 1.85 10-4 3.42 10-8

60 0.005 23 2.17 10-4 4.71 10-8

80 0.005 18 2.78 10-4 7.73 10-8

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To find flow rate,

Volume of water (m3)

Time (s)

Volume of
Time t (s) Flow rate Q (m3/s)
water V (m)

0.005 29 0.005 -4
29 = 1.72 10
0.005 27 0.005 -4
27 = 1.85 10
0.005 23 0.005 -4
23 = 2.17 10
0.005 18 0.005 -4
18 = 2.78 10

c) Hemispherical cup

Mass of jockey Volume of Flow rate Q

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Time t (s) 3
Q2
weight m (g) water V (m ) (m /s)

20 0.005 48 1.04 10-4 1.08 10-8

40 0.005 36 1.39 10-4 1.93 10-8

60 0.005 25 2 10-4 4 10-8

80 0.005 21 2.38 10-4 5.66 10-8

To find flow rate,

Volume of water (m3)

Time (s)

Volume of
Time t (s) Flow rate Q (m3/s)
water V (m3)

0.005 48 0.005 -4
48 = 1.04 10

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 0.005 36 0.005 -4
36 = 1.39 10
0.005 25 0.005 -4
25 = 2 10
0.005 21 0.005 -4
21 = 2.38 10

Plot the graph of mass of jockey weight m versus Q2 for flat plate, 120o inclined plate and
hemispherical cup and find the slope of the graphs.

1. Graph of flat plate

Graph of mass versus Q2

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10

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Q2 X 10-8

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09
Mass of jockey weight, m (kg)

2. Graph of 120o inclined plate

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 Graph of mass versus Q2
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Q2 X 10-8

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09
Mass of jockey weight, m (kg)

3.Graph of hemispherical cup

Graph of mass versus Q2

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Q2 X 10-8

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09
Mass of jockey weight, m (kg)

6.0 QUESTIONS

1. For every plate, record and calculate Q and Q2 and plot graphs of mass of jockey weight m
versus Q2. Theoretically, slope of the graphs is given as:

Given:

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Diameter of nozzle = 10 mm

Gravity acceleration, g = 9.81 ms 2

Fluid density, = 1000 kg/m3

Area, A = r2 = (0.005)2 = 7.854 10-5m2

From analysis, slope of the graph as in theory is given by:

Flat plate = gA = 10009.81 (7.854 105 )

= 1,297,896

3 3(1000)
120 curved plate = 2gA = 2(9.81)(7.854 105 )

= 1,946,845

2 2(1000)
Hemispherical cup = = 9.81(7.854 105 )

= 2,595,793

2. Compare the value between the slope at the graph and the theory value.

Q2 1000(4 108 )
Flat plate = A =
7.854 105 )

= 0.51 N

3 2 3(1000)(2.96 108 )
120o inclined plate = 2A =
2(7.854 105 )

= 0.57 N

2 2 2(1000)(1.08 108 )
Hemispherical cup = = 7.854 105

= 0.28 N

3. From the result, comment on the graphs slope and theoretical value.

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 From the result, we can clearly see the big difference between graphs slope and theoretical
value. So, we assumed there are some errors occurred during the experiment. Then, some of
precautions should be taken, for example:

Avoid shaking the water bench, so that the water level is set to a balanced position.
During the experiment the measurement taken using eye that can make errors while reading
the measurement that needs to avoided.

With the measurement taken, it can lower to the minimum error and get accurate reading to
avoid the great difference of gradient of slope value. However, in this experiment we have
success to prove that when the greater surface area of vane plate, the larger the forces that can
withstand by the plate.

7.0 DISCUSSION

After doing this experiment, we found a few things that need to be focused on in order to reduce
errors that might affect the data collected. Firstly, the condition of the instrument, hydraulic
water pump bench. Poorly maintenance of the hydraulic water bench surface of the water
reservoir effect the stream off the water causing the irregular flow of the water. Presence of
impurities in the reservoir and fluid like dust disrupt the flow of water through both weirs. If
the pump does not show a consistent flow rate as it increases causing the difficulty to maintain
a steady flow in order to measure the height as a steady flow of water. The condition of the
pump which produce a vibration throughout the bench also cause the water to have an
inconsistent flow throughout the experiment. The presence of leakage at the bench also affect
the water even though the leakage is minimal it still effects the result of the experiment over
time due to the loss of water. We also find environmental factors that affect the result of the
experiment which is running the experiment in a fan condition room. It can cause the water
surface to ripple due to the air movement surrounding the environment. An air conditioned
room also is highly advised to run this experiment.

8.0 CONCLUSION

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As the conclusion, the experiment that have been carried out were successful, even though the
data collected are a little bit difference compared to the theoretical value. The difference
between the theoretical value and the actual value may mainly due to human and servicing
factors such as parallax error. This error occurs during observer captured the value of the water
level. This error may occur because the water valve was not completely close during collecting
the water. This may affect the time taken for the water to be collected. The recommendation to
overcome the error is ensuring that the position of the observers eye must be 90o perpendicular
to the reading or the position. Then, ensure that the apparatus functioning perfectly in order to
get an accurate result.

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