NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -

Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q.1: Explain why

(a) The blood pressure in humans is greater at the feet than at the brain.
(b) Atmospheric pressure at the height of about 6 km decreases to nearly half of its value at sea
level, though the height of the atmosphere is more than 100 km.
(c) Hydrostatic pressure is a scalar quantity even though the pressure is force divided by area.

Ans:

(i). The blood column to the feet is at a greater height than the head. Thus, the blood pressure in the feet is
greater than that in the brain.

(ii). The density of the atmosphere does not decrease linearly with the increase in altitude, in fact, most of
the air molecules are close to the surface. Thus, there is this nonlinear variation of atmospheric pressure.

(iii). In hydrostatic pressure, the force is transmitted equally in all directions in the liquid; thus, there is no
fixed direction of pressure, making it a scalar quantity.

Q.2: Explain why

(a) The angle of contact of mercury with glass is obtuse, while that of water with glass is acute.
(b) Water on a clean glass surface tends to spread out, while mercury on the same surface tends to
form drops. (Put differently, water wets glass while mercury does not.)
(c) Surface tension of a liquid is independent of the area of the surface.
(d) Water with detergent dissolved in it should have small angles of contact.
(e) A drop of liquid under no external forces is always spherical in shape.

Ans:

(a) Water molecules have weak intermolecular forces and a strong force of attraction towards solids. Thus,
they spill out. Whereas mercury molecules have a stronger intermolecular force of attraction and a weak
attraction force towards solids, thus they form droplets.

(b) The angle of contact is the angle between the line tangent to the liquid surface at the point of contact and
the surface of the liquid. It is donated by θ in the following diagram:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

In the diagram, Ssl, Sla and Ssa are the respective interfacial tensions between the liquid-solid, liquid-air, and
solid-air interfaces. At the line of contact, the surface forces between the three media are in equilibrium, i.e.,

Thus, for mercury, the angle of contact θ is obtuse because of Ssa < Sla. And for water, the angle is acute
because Ssl < Sla

(c) A liquid always tends to acquire minimum surface area because of the presence of surface tension. And
as a sphere always has the smallest surface area for a given volume, a liquid drop will always take the
shape of a sphere under zero external forces.

(d) Surface tension is independent of the area of the liquid surface because it is a force depending upon the
unit length of the interface between the liquid and the other surface, not the area of the liquid.

(e) Clothes have narrow pores that behave like capillaries, now we know that the rise of liquid in a capillary
tube is directly proportional to cos θ. So a soap decreases the value of θ in order to increase the value
of cos θ, allowing the faster rise of water through the pores of the clothes.

Q.3: Fill in the blanks using the word(s) from the list appended with each statement.
(a) The surface tension of liquids generally … with temperatures. (increases/decreases)
(b) The viscosity of gases … with temperature, whereas the viscosity of liquids … with temperature.
(increases/decreases)
(c) For solids with an elastic modulus of rigidity, the shearing force is proportional to …, while for
fluids, it is proportional to … (shear strain/rate of shear strain)
(d) For a fluid in a steady flow, the increase in flow speed at a constriction follows. (conservation of
mass/Bernoulli’s principle)
(e) For the model of a plane in a wind tunnel, turbulence occurs at a … speed for turbulence for an
actual plane. (greater/smaller)

Ans:

(a) decreases

(b) increases; decreases

(c) shear strain; rate of shear strain

(d) conservation of mass; Bernoulli’s principle

(e) greater

Q.4: Explain why

(a) To keep a piece of paper horizontal, you should blow over, not under it.
(b) When we try to close a water tap with our fingers, fast jets of water gush through the openings
between our fingers.
(c) The size of the needle of a syringe controls the flow rate better than the thumb pressure exerted
by a doctor while administering an injection.
(d) A fluid flowing out of a small hole in a vessel results in a backward thrust on the vessel.
(e) A spinning cricket ball in the air does not follow a parabolic trajectory.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Ans:

(a) If we blow over a piece of paper, the velocity of air above the paper becomes more than that below it. As
the K.E. of air above the paper increases, in accordance with Bernoulli’s theorem, its pressure energy and
hence, its pressure decreases.

Due to the greater value of pressure below the piece of paper = atmospheric pressure, it remains horizontal
and does not fall.

(b) As per the equation of continuity, area × velocity = constant. When we try to close a water tap with our
fingers, the area of the cross-section of the outlet of the water jet is reduced considerably, as the openings
between our fingers provide constriction (regions of smaller area).
Thus, the velocity of the water increases greatly, and fast jets of water come through the openings between
our fingers.

(c) The size of the needle controls the velocity of flow, and the thumb pressure controls pressure. According
to the Bernoulli’s theorem P +

= Constant
In this equation, the pressure P occurs with a single power, whereas the velocity occurs with a square
power. Therefore, the velocity is more effective compared to the pressure. It is for this reason that the
needle of the syringe controls the flow rate better than the thumb pressure exerted by the doctor.

(d) This is because of the principle of conservation of momentum. While the flowing fluid carries forward
momentum, the vessel gets a backward momentum.
(e) A spinning cricket ball would have followed a parabolic trajectory had there been no air. But because of
air, the Magnus effect takes place. Due to the Magnus effect, the spinning cricket ball deviates from its
parabolic trajectory.

Q.5: A 50 kg girl wearing high heel shoes balances on a single heel. The heel is circular with a
diameter of 1.0 cm. What is the pressure exerted by the heel on the horizontal floor?

Ans:

Given:

Radius of the heel, r =

= 0.005 m
Mass of the lady, m = 50 kg

Area of the heel, A = πr2 = π (0.005)2= 7.85 × 10-5 m2

Force on the floor due to the heel, F = mg = 50 × 9.8 = 490 N

The pressure exerted by the heel on the floor,

 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

P=

Q-6: Toricelli’s barometer used mercury. Pascal duplicated it using French wine of density 984 kg m–
. Determine the height of the wine column for normal atmospheric pressure.
3

Ans:

We know:
Density of mercury, ρ1 = 13.6 × 103 kg/m3
Height of the mercury column, h1 = 0.76 m
Density of French wine, ρ2 = 984 kg/m3

Let the height of the French wine column = h2

Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2

We know that
Pressure in the mercury column = Pressure in the wine column
ρ1h1 g =ρ2h2 g

Q-7: A vertical off-shore structure is built to withstand maximum stress of 109 Pa. Is the structure
suitable for putting up on top of an oil well in the ocean? Take the depth of the ocean to be roughly 3
km, and ignore ocean currents.

Ans:

Given:

The maximum stress the structure can handle, P = 109 Pa

Depth of the sea, d = 3 km = 3 × 103 m
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Density of water, ρ = 103 kg/m3

Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2

We know
The pressure exerted by the seawater at depth, d = ρdg = 103 x 3 × 103 × 9.8 = 2.94 × 107 Pa

As the sea exerts a pressure lesser than the maximum stress the structure can handle, the structure can
survive on the oil well in the sea.

Q-8: A hydraulic automobile lift is designed to lift cars with a maximum mass of 3000 kg. The area of
the cross-section of the piston carrying the load is 425 cm2. What maximum pressure would the
smaller piston have to bear?

Ans:

Given:
Maximum mass that can be lifted, m = 3000 kg
Area of cross-section of the load-carrying piston, A = 425 cm2= 425 × 10-4 m2

The maximum force exerted by the load,

F = mg = 3000 x 9.8 = 29400 N
The maximum pressure on the load-carrying piston, P = F / A

P=

In a liquid, the pressure is transmitted equally in all directions. Therefore, the maximum pressure on the
smaller is 6.917 × 105 Pa

Q-9: A U-tube contains water and methylated spirit separated by mercury. The mercury columns in
the two arms are in level with 10.0 cm of water in one arm and 12.5 cm of spirit in the other. What is
the specific gravity of the spirit?

Ans:

Given:

Height of the spirit column, h1 = 12.5 cm = 0.125 m

Height of the water column, h2 = 10 cm = 0.1 m

Let A and B be the points of contact between spirit and mercury and water and mercury, respectively.
P0 = Atmospheric pressure
ρ1 = Density of spirit
ρ2 = Density of water

Pressure a point A = P0 + ρ1h 1g

 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Pressure at point B = P0 + ρ2h 2g

We know the pressure at B and D is the same. So,

P0 + ρ1h1g = P0 + ρ2h 2g

Therefore, the specific gravity of water is 0.8.

Q-10: In the previous problem, if 15.0 cm of water and spirit each is further poured into the
respective arms of the tube, what is the difference in the levels of mercury in the two arms? (Specific
gravity of mercury = 13.6)

Ans:

Given:

h1 = 10.0 cm
ρ1 = 1 g cm-3
For the spirit column in the other arm of the U-tube,
h2 = 12.5 cm
p2 = ?

Let h be the difference between the levels of mercury in the two arms.
The pressure exerted by height, h, of the mercury column,
= hρg
= h × 13.6g … (i)
Difference between the pressures exerted by water and spirit,
= ρ1h1g – ρ2h2g
= g(25 × 1 – 27.5 × 0.8)
= 3g … (ii)
Equating equations (i) and (ii), we get
13.6 hg = 3g
h = 0.220588 ≈ 0.221 cm

Q-11: Can Bernoulli’s equation be used to describe the flow of water through a rapid in a river?
Explain.

Ans:

Bernoulli’s equation cannot be applied to the water flowing in a river because it is applicable only to ideal
liquids in a streamlined flow, and the water in a stream is turbulent.

Q-12: Does it matter if one uses gauge instead of absolute pressures in applying Bernoulli’s
equation? Explain.

Ans:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

No, it does not matter if one uses gauge instead of absolute pressures in applying Bernoulli’s equation,
provided the atmospheric pressure at the two points where Bernoulli’s equation applied to the system is
significantly different.

Q-13: Glycerine flows steadily through a horizontal tube of length 1.5 m and radius 1.0 cm. If the
amount of glycerine collected per second at one end is 4.0 × 10–3 kg s–1, what is the pressure
difference between the two ends of the tube? (Density of glycerine = 1.3 × 103 kg m–3 and viscosity of
glycerine = 0.83 Pa s.) [You may also like to check if the assumption of laminar flow in the tube is
correct.]

Ans:

Given:
Length of the horizontal tube, l = 1.5 m

Radius of the tube, r = 1 cm = 0.01 m

Diameter of the tube, d = 2r = 0.02 m

Glycerine is flowing at the rate of 4.0 × 10-3 kg/s

M = 4.0 × 10-3 kg/s

Density of glycerine, ρ = 1.3 × 103 kg m-3

Viscosity of glycerine, η = 0.83 Pa s

We know the volume of glycerine flowing per sec,

V=

Using Poiseville’s formula, we get

V=

Where p’ is the pressure difference between the two ends of the pipe.

p’ =
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

And, we know

= 0.3
Since Reynolds’ number is 0.3, which is way smaller than 2000, the flow of glycerine in the pipe is
laminar.

Q-14: In a test experiment on a model aeroplane in a wind tunnel, the flow speeds on the upper and
lower surfaces of the wing are 70 m s–1 and 63 m s-1, respectively. What is the lift on the wing if its
area is 2.5 m2? Take the density of air to be 1.3 kg m–3

Ans:

Given:
Speed of wind on the upper side of the wing, V1 = 70 m/s
Speed of wind on the lower side of the wing, V2 = 63 m/s
Area of the wing, A = 2.5 m2
Density of air, ρ = 1.3 kg m -3

Using Bernoulli’s theorem, we get

Where, P1 = Pressure on the upper side of the wing

P2 = Pressure on the lower side of the wing

Now, the lift on the wing = ( P2 – P1 ) x Area

=

=
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

\(\begin{array}{l}\frac{ 1 }{ 2 }\times 1.3 \left ( \left ( 70 \right )^{ 2 } – \left ( 63 \right )^{ 2 } \right ) \times 2.5

\end{array} \)
= 1.51 x 103 N
Therefore, the lift experienced by the wings of the aircraft is 1.51 x 103 N.

Q-15: Figures (a) and (b) refer to the steady flow of a (non-viscous) liquid. Which of the two figures
is incorrect? Why?

Ans:

Figure (a) is incorrect. The reason is that at the kink, the velocity of the flow of liquid is large, and hence,
using Bernoulli’s theorem, the pressure is less. As a result, the water should not rise higher in the tube
where there is a kink (i.e., where the area of the cross-section is small).

Q-16: The cylindrical tube of a spray pump has a cross-section of 8.0 cm2, one end of which has 40
fine holes each of diameter 1.0 mm. If the liquid flow inside the tube is 1.5 m min–1, what is the speed
of ejection of the liquid through the holes?

Ans:

Given:
Number of holes, n = 40
Cross-sectional area of the spray pump, A1 = 8 cm -2= 8 × 10-4 m-2
Radius of each hole, r = 0.5 × 10-3 m
Cross-sectional area of each hole, a = πr2 = π (0.5 × 10-3 )2 m2
Total area of 40 holes, A2= n × a =

m2 = 3.14 x 10-5 m2
Speed of flow of water inside the tube, V1 = 1.5 m/min = 0.025 m/s
Let the water ejected through the holes at speed = V2
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Using the law of continuity,

A1V1 = A2 V2

V2 =

Therefore, V2 = 0.636 m/s

Q-17: A U-shaped wire is dipped in a soap solution and removed. The thin soap film formed between
the wire and the light slider supports a weight of 1.5 × 10–2 N (which includes the small weight of the
slider). The length of the slider is 30 cm. What is the surface tension of the film?

Ans:

Given:
The maximum weight the film can support, W = 1.5 × 10-2 N
Length of the slider, l = 30 cm = 0.3 m

The total length of the liquid film, l = 2 x 30 cm = 60 cm = 0.6 m because the liquid film has two surfaces.
Surface tension, T = F/l =1.5 x 10-2 N/0.6m =2.5 x 10-2 Nm-1

Q-18: Figure (a) shows a thin liquid film supporting a small weight = 4.5 × 10–2 N. What is the weight
supported by a film of the same liquid at the same temperature in Fig. (b) and (c)? Explain your
answer physically.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Ans:

Case (a):

(a) Given the length of the film supporting the weight = 40 cm = 0.4 m.

Total weight supported (or force) = 4.5 x 10-2 N.

Film has two free surfaces, Surface tension, S =4.5 x 10-2/2 x 0.4 =5.625 x 10-2 Nm-1
Since the liquid is the same for all the given cases (a), (b) and (c), the temperature is also the same.
Therefore, surface tension for cases (b) and (c) will also be the same = 5.625 x 10-2.

In Fig. (b) and (c), the length of the film supporting the weight is also the same as that of (a). Hence, the total
weight supported in each case is 4.5 x 10-2 N.

Q-19: What is the pressure inside the drop of mercury of radius 3.00 mm at room temperature? The
surface tension of mercury at that temperature (20 °C) is 4.65 × 10–1 N m–1. The atmospheric pressure
is 1.01 × 105 Pa. Also, give the excess pressure inside the drop.

Ans:

Given:
Surface tension of mercury, S = 4.65 × 10-1 N m-1
Radius of the mercury drop, r = 3.00 mm = 3 × 10-3 m
Atmospheric pressure, P0 = 1.01 × 105 Pa

We know
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Total pressure inside the mercury drop = Excess pressure inside mercury + Atmospheric pressure
= 2S/r + P0 =

= 1.0131 x 105 Pa
= 1.01 x 105 Pa

Excess pressure =

Q-20: What is the excess pressure inside a bubble of soap solution of radius 5.00 mm, given that the
surface tension of soap solution at the temperature (20 °C) is 2.50 × 10–2 N m–1? If an air bubble of the
same dimension were formed at a depth of 40.0 cm inside a container containing the soap solution
(of relative density 1.20), what would be the pressure inside the bubble? (1 atmospheric pressure is
1.01 × 105 Pa)

Ans:

Given:
Surface tension of the soap solution, S = 2.50 × 10-2 N/m
r = 5.00 mm = 5 × 10-3 m
Density of the soap solution, ρ = 1.2 × 103 kg/m3
Relative density of the soap solution = 1.20
Air bubble is at a depth, h = 30 cm = 0.3 m
Radius of the air bubble, r = 4 mm = 5× 10-3 m
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2
1 atmospheric pressure = 1.01 × 105 Pa
We know;
P=

Thus, the excess pressure inside the soap bubble is 20 Pa.

Now, for the excess pressure inside the air bubble, P’ =
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Thus, the excess pressure inside the air bubble is 10 Pa.

At a depth of 0.4 m, the total pressure inside the air bubble = Atmospheric pressure + hρg + P’
= 1.01 x 105 + 0.4 x 1.2 x 103 x 9.8 + 10
= 1.06 x 105 Pa.

Q-21: A tank with a square base of area 1.0 m2 is divided by a vertical partition in the middle. The
bottom of the partition has a small-hinged door of area 20 cm2. The tank is filled with water in one
compartment and an acid (of relative density 1.7) in the other, both to a height of 4.0 m. Compute the
force necessary to keep the door close.

Ans:
Given:
Area of the hinged door, a = 20 cm2= 20 × 10-4 m
Base area of the given tank, A = 2 m2
Density of water, ρ1 = 103 kg/m3
Density of acid, ρ2 = 1.7 × 103 kg/m3
Height of the water column, h1 = 4 m
Height of the acid column, h2 = 4 m
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 ms-2
Pressure exerted by water , P1 = h1ρ1g = 4 x 103 x 9.8 = 3.92 x 104 Pa
the pressure exerted by acid , P2 = h2ρ2g = 4 x 1.7 x 103 x 9.8 = 6.664 x 104 Pa
Pressure difference between the above two,
ΔP = P2 – P1
= (6.664 – 3.92) X 104= 2.744 x 104Pa
Thus, the force on the door = ΔP x a
=2.744 x 104 x 20 × 10-4= 54.88 N
Hence, the force required to keep the door closed is 54.88N.

Q-22: A manometer reads the pressure of a gas in an enclosure as shown in Fig. 10.25 (a) When a
pump removes some of the gas, the manometer reads as in Fig. 10.25. (b) The liquid used in the
manometers is mercury and the atmospheric pressure is 76 cm of mercury.
(a) Give the absolute and gauge pressure of the gas in the enclosure for cases (a) and (b) in units of
cm of mercury.
(b) How would the levels change in case (b) if 13.6 cm of water (immiscible with mercury) is poured
into the right limb of the manometer? (Ignore the small change in the volume of the gas.)
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Ans:

(a) For diagram (a).

Given, Atmospheric pressure, P0 = 76 cm of Hg
The difference between the levels of mercury in the two arms is gauge pressure.
Thus, the gauge pressure is 20 cm of Hg.
We know, Absolute pressure = Atmospheric pressure + Gauge pressure
= 76 + 20 = 96 cm of Hg

For diagram (b).

Difference between the levels of mercury in the two arms = –18 cm
Hence, the gauge pressure is –18 cm of Hg.
And, Absolute pressure = Atmospheric pressure + Gauge pressure
= 76 cm – 18 cm = 58 cm
(b) It is given that 13.6 cm of water is poured into the right arm of figure (b).
We know that the relative density of mercury = 13.6
=> A 13.6 cm column of water is equivalent to 1 cm of mercury.
Let h be the difference in the mercury levels of the two arms.
Now, pressure in the right arm PR = Atmospheric pressure + 1 cm of Hg

= 76 + 1 = 77 cm of Hg . . . . . . (a)

The mercury column rises in the left arm; thus, the pressure in the left limb, PL = 58 + h . . . . . . (b)
Equating equations (a) and (b), we get
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

77 = 58 + h

Therefore, the difference in the mercury levels of the two arms, h = 19 cm

Q-23: Two vessels have the same base area but different shapes. The first vessel takes twice the
volume of water that the second vessel requires to fill up to a particular common height. Is the force
exerted by the water on the base of the vessel the same in the two cases? If so, why do the vessels
filled with water to that same height give different readings on a weighing scale?

Ans:

As the base area is the same as the pressure, the force acting on the two vessels will also be the same.
However, force is also exerted on the walls of the vessel, which have a nonvertical component when the
walls are not perpendicular to the base. The net non-vertical component on the sides of the vessel is lesser
for the second vessel than the first. Therefore, the vessels have different weights despite having the
same force on the base.

Q-24: During a blood transfusion, the needle is inserted in a vein where the gauge pressure is 2000
Pa. At what height must the blood container be placed so that blood may just enter the vein? [Use
the density of whole blood from Table 10.1.]

Ans:

Given:
Density of whole blood, ρ = 1.06 × 103 kg m-3
Gauge pressure, P = 2000 Pa
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2
=P/ρg =200/(1.06 x 103 x 9.8) =0.1925 m
The blood may just enter the vein if the height at which the blood container is kept must be slightly greater
than 0.1925 m, i.e., 0.2 m.

Q-25: In deriving Bernoulli’s equation, we equated the work done on the fluid in the tube to its
change in the potential and kinetic energy. (a) What is the largest average velocity of blood flow in
an artery of diameter 2 × 10–3 m if the flow must remain laminar? (b) Do the dissipative forces
become more important as the fluid velocity increases? Discuss qualitatively.

Ans:

(a) If dissipative forces are present, then some forces in liquid flow due to pressure difference is spent
against dissipative forces, due to which the pressure drop becomes large.
(b) The dissipative forces become more important with increasing flow velocity because of turbulence.

Q-26: (a) What is the largest average velocity of blood flow in an artery of radius 2×10–3m if the flow
must remain laminar? (b) What is the corresponding flow rate? (Take the viscosity of blood to be
2.084 × 10–3 Pa s)

Ans:

Given:
Radius of the vein, r = 2 × 10-3 m
Diameter of the vein, d = 2 × 1 × 10-3 m = 2 × 10-3 m
Viscosity of blood ,η = 2.08 x 10-3 m
Density of blood, ρ = 1.06 × 103 kg/m3
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

(a) We know Reynolds’ number for laminar flow, NR = 2000

Therefore, the greatest average velocity of blood is
VAVG=

= 0.983m/s
(b) And, flow rate R = VAVG π r2 = 0.983 x 3.14 x ( 10-3)2= 1.235 x 10-6 m3/s

Q.27: A plane is in level flight at a constant speed, and each of its wings has an area of 25 m2. If the
speed of the air is 180 km/h over the lower wing and 234 km/h over the upper wing surface,
determine the plane’s mass. (Take air density to be 1 kg/m3, g = 9.8 m/s2

Ans:

Area of the wings of the plane, A=2×25=50 m2

Speed of air over the lower wing, V1
=180km/h= 180 x (5/18) = 50 m/s

Speed of air over the upper wing, V2

=234km/h= 234 x (5/18) = 65 m/s

Density of air, =1kg/m3

Pressure of air over the lower wing =P1
Pressure of air over the upper wing =P2
Pressure difference,ΔP = P1−P2 = (1/2) ρ (V22 – V12)

= (1/2) x 1 x (652 – 502) = 862.5 Pa

The net upward force F=ΔP x A

The upward forces balance the weight of the plane

mg = ΔP x A

m = (ΔP x A)/g

= (862.5 x 50)/9.8
=4400kg

The mass of the plane is 4400 kg.

Q-28: In Millikan’s oil drop experiment, what is the terminal speed of an uncharged drop of radius 2.0
× 10–5 m and density 1.2 × 103 kg m–3? Take the viscosity of air at the temperature of the experiment to
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

be 1.8 × 10–5 Pa s. How much is the viscous force on the drop at that speed? Neglect buoyancy of the
drop due to air.

Ans:

Given:
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2
Radius of the uncharged drop, r = 2.0 × 10-5 m
Density of the uncharged drop, ρ = 1.2 × 103 kg m-3
Viscosity of air, η = 1.8 × 10-5 Pa s
We consider the density of air to be zero in order to neglect the buoyancy of air.
Therefore, terminal velocity (v) is

v=

And the viscous force on the drop is

F = 6πηrv
= 6 x 3.14 x 1.8 × 10-5x2 x 10-5 x 5.8 10-2
= 3.91 x 10-10 N
Q-29: Mercury has an angle of contact equal to 140° with soda lime glass. A narrow tube of radius
1.00 mm made of this glass is dipped in a trough containing mercury. By what amount does the
mercury dip down in the tube relative to the liquid surface outside? The surface tension of mercury
at the temperature of the experiment is 0.465 N m–1. Density of mercury = 13.6 × 103 kg m–3

Given:
Density of mercury, ρ =13.6 × 103 kg/m3
Angle of contact between mercury and soda lime glass, θ = 140°
Surface tension of mercury at that temperature, s = 0.465 N m-3
Radius of the narrow tube, r = 2/2 = 1 mm = 1 × 10-3 m
Let the dip in the depth of mercury = h
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2
We know, surface tension S =

The negative sign indicates the falling level of mercury. Thus, the mercury dips by 5.34 mm.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q-30: Two narrow bores of diameters 3.0 mm and 6.0 mm are joined together to form a U-tube open
at both ends. If the U-tube contains water, what is the difference in its levels in the two limbs of the
tube? The surface tension of water at the temperature of the experiment is 7.3 × 10–2 N m–1. Take the
angle of contact to be zero and the density of water to be 1.0 × 103 kg m–3 (g = 9.8 m s–2).
Ans:

Given:
Diameter of the first bore, d1 = 3.0 mm = 3 × 10-3 m
Radius of the first bore, r1 = 3/2 = 1.5 x 10-3 m.
Diameter of the second bore, d2 =6mm
Radius of the second bore, r2 = 6/2 = 3 x 10-3 mm
Surface tension of water, s = 7.3 × 10-2 N /m
Angle of contact between the bore surface and water, θ= 0
Density of water, ρ =1.0 × 103 kg/m-3
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2
Let h1 and h2 be the heights to which water rises in the first and second tubes, respectively.
Thus, the difference in height
h1 – h2 =

Since, h =

h1 – h2 =

Therefore, the difference in the water levels of the two arms =2.482 mm.
Q-31: (a) According to the law of atmospheres density of air decreases with an increase in height y
as ρ=

. Where ρ0 =1.25 kg m-3 is the density of air at sea level, and y0 is a constant. Derive this equation/law
considering that the atmosphere and acceleration due to gravity remain constant.

(b) A zeppelin of volume 1500 m3 is filled with helium, and it is lifting a mass of 400 kg. Assuming
that the radius of the zeppelin remains constant as it ascends. How high will it rise? [ y0 = 8000 m
and ρHe =0.18 kg m-3].
Ans:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

(a). We know that rate of decrease of density ρ of air is directly proportional to the height y.
i.e.,

Where y is the constant of proportionality and the –ve sign indicates the decrease in density with an
increase in height.
Integrating equation (1), we get

Where ρ0 = density of air at sea level, i.e., y =0

Or, loge(ρ0 /ρ ) = -y/y0
Therefore,

(b) Given:
Volume of zeppelin = 1500 m3
Mass of payload, m = 400 kg
y0 = 8000 m
ρ0 =1.25 kg m-3
Density of helium, ρ He =0.18 kg m-3
Density ρ =

[Mass = volume × density]

= 0.45 kg m-3
Using equation (1), we will get
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 -
Mechanical Properties of Fluids