Problem 2.

87

A thin plate moves between two parallel, horizontal, stationary flat surfaces at a constant velocity of
5 m/s. The two stationary surfaces are spaced 4 cm apart, and the medium between them is filled with
2
oil whose viscosity is 0.9 N·s/m . The part of the plate immersed in oil at any given time is 2-m long
and 0.5-m wide. If the plate moves through the mid-plane between the surfaces, determine the force
required to maintain this motion. What would your response be if the plate was 1 cm from the bottom
surface (h 2 ) and 3 cm from the top surface (h 1 )?

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Solution 2.87

A thin flat plate is pulled horizontally through the mid plane of an oil layer sandwiched between two
stationary plates. The force that needs to be applied on the plate to maintain this motion is to be
determined for this case and for the case when the plate .

Assumptions 1 The thickness of the plate is negligible. 2 The velocity profile in each oil layer is
linear.
2
Properties The absolute viscosity of oil is given to be µ = 0.9 N⋅s/m .

Analysis The velocity profile in each oil layer relative to the fixed wall is as shown in the figure.

Stationary surface

h1=2 cm V = 5 m/s
F
h2=2 cm
y
Stationary surface

The magnitudes of shear forces acting on the upper and lower surfaces of the moving thin plate are
du V −0 5 m/s
τ w, upper As =
Fshear, upper = µ As µ As
= (0.9 N ⋅ s/m 2 )(0.5 × 2 m 2 )
= 225 N
=
dy h1 0.02 m
du V − Vw 5 m/s
τ w, lower As =
Fshear, lower = µ As= µ As = (0.9 N ⋅ s/m 2 )(0.5 × 2 m 2 ) 225 N
=
dy h2 0.02 m
Noting that both shear forces are in the opposite direction of motion of the plate, the force F is
determined from a force balance on the plate to be
F = Fshear, upper + Fshear, lower = 225 + 225 = 450 N
When the plate is 1 cm from the bottom surface and 3 cm from the top surface, the force F becomes
du V −0 5 m/s
τ w, upper As =
Fshear, upper = µ As µ As
= (0.9 N ⋅ s/m 2 )(0.5 × 2 m 2 )
= 150 N
=
dy h1 0.03 m
du V −0 5 m/s
τ w, lower As =
Fshear, lower = µ As µ As
= (0.9 N ⋅ s/m 2 )(0.5 × 2 m 2 )
= 450 N
=
dy h2 0.01 m

Solution continued on next page...

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sale or distribution in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or
posted on a website, in whole or part.
Noting that both shear forces are in the opposite direction of motion of the plate, the force F is
determined from a force balance on the plate to be
F = Fshear, upper + Fshear, lower =150 + 450 =600 N
Discussion Note that the relative location of the thin plate affects the required force significantly.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for
sale or distribution in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or
posted on a website, in whole or part.