[UNIT 1 PHYSICS ON THE GO 2.

0 MATERIALS] 1

1.5 FLUID FLOW

Example 1
1. Density, Upthrust, Flows, Viscous Drag and Terminal
Velocity
2. Relationship between Rate of Flow - Viscosity
3. Stokes Law,
4. Change of Viscosity with Temperature

A cubic wooden block of 20 cm lengths is floating on water.

Calculate the height of the submerged portion of the block. The
wood used has a density of 500 kgm-3
For a floating object, Upthrust = Weight

1. Density, Flows, Upthrust, Viscous Drag, and Terminal

Velocity
Fluid ~ Substance that can flow. Generally liquid n gas.
Density ~ Measure of mass per unit volume
Density,

m
V

where m mass, kg
V volume, m3
Upthrust ~ is the force caused by fluid pressure.
~ equals to weight of the fluid that has been displaced by an
object (Archimedes Principle)
W = mg
W=

Vg

Weight of block

= Vg
= (500) (0.2x0.2x0.2) (9.81)
= 39.24 N

Upthrust (weight of water) = Vg

39.24 = (1000)(0.2 x 0.2 x h)(9.81)
h
= 0.1 m (or 10 cm)

Explain the principles involved in the sinking of an object.

Similarly explain how a metal ship does not sink.
An object will sink if the weight of the liquid displaced is higher
than the upthrust.
A metal ship does not sink because it is design in such a way that it
displaces enough water to create an upthrust which is higher than the
weight of the water.

Flows
- 2 types ~ Laminar (streamline) flow and Turbulent flow
- Laminar flow occurs at lower speeds and will change into
turbulent flow as velocity increases.
How does a hydrometer work?

Demonstrating types of flow:Laminar flow

Turbulent flow

using a glass tube. See

video.
- See page 57.
In both demonstrations, the
streamlines are observed.

Application in:- Design of vehicles

- Skiers, Cyclists, Swimmers, Sprinters
- Pipings
to avoid turbulent flows since it causes drag, which wastes energy.

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[UNIT 1 PHYSICS ON THE GO 2.0 MATERIALS] 3

2. Relationship between Rate of Flow and Viscosity

See page 59
-

The more viscous the fluid is, the harder it is for an object to
move.
Thus, viscosity is inversely proportional to rate of flow.
(through experiments)

With liquids,
Viscosity __________ with temperature.
With gases,
Viscosity __________ with temperature.

3. Stokes Law
Viscous Drag
~ the friction acting in a fluid which restricts movement.
- coefficient of viscosity, [
]
- the higher the viscosity, the slower it flows

Explain the above.

In liquids,
As temperature increases, the attractive force between molecules is
overcomed, which results in the liquid easier to flow.

Viscous drag, F = 6 rv
where r radius of sphere, m
coefficient of viscosity, Pa s
v
velocity of the sphere, ms-1
Terminal velocity
~ occurs when object is sinking (or falling) with constant velocity.
Therefore,
Weight = Uptrust + Viscous Drag
4. Changes of Viscosity with Temperature

In gases,
As temperature increases, air molecules vibrate more quickly (in
many directions) which results in the gas being harder to flow.

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[UNIT 1 PHYSICS ON THE GO 2.0 MATERIALS] 5