Result and Calculation of Experiment

Figure 1: Laminar flow of dye inside the tube

Figure 2: Transitional flow of dye in tube
Figure 3: Turbulent flow of dye in tube
Reynold Number formula

UL
=

Where,
Re = Reynold Number
U = Fluid velocity, m/s
L = Characteristic length or diameter, m
= kinematic viscosity, m2/s

If Re < 2100, the fluid is laminar,

If Re in range between 2100 to 4000, the fluid is transitional,
If Re > 4000, the fluid is turbulent

= 0.89 x 10-6 m/s

Glass tube diameter, D = 0.0156 m
Area, A = 1.91 x 10-4 m2

Laminar flow

Time Flowrate Reynold

Trial Volume (L)
(s) L/s m3/s number, Re
1 42 x 10-3 10 4.2 x 10-3 4.2 x 10-6 385.43
2 42 x 10-3 10 4.2 x 10-3 4.2 x 10-6 385.43
3 44 x 10-3 10 4.4 x 10-3 4.4 x 10-6 403.79
Average 391.55

Transitional flow

Time Flowrate Reynold

Trial Volume (L) 3
(s) L/s m /s number, Re
-3
1 245 x 10 10 2.45 x 10-2 2.45 x 10-5 2248.73
2 260 x 10-3 10 2.60 x 10-2 2.60 x 10-5 2386.02
3 240 x 10-3 10 2.40 x 10-2 2.40 x 10-5 2202.48
Average 2280.08

Turbulent flow

Trial Volume (L) Time Flowrate Reynold

 (s) L/s m3/s number, Re
-3
1 660 x 10 10 6.60 x 10-2 6.60 x 10-5 6056.83
2 720 x 10-3 10 7.20 x 10-2 7.20 x 10-5 6607.45
3 680 x 10-3 10 6.80 x 10-2 6.80 x 10-5 6240.37
Average 6301.55

Discussion

This experiment was carried out to determine the characteristic of laminar, turbulent
and transitional flow by determining the Reynold number. In this experiment, laminar
flow can be observe where the dye flows smoothly in a straight path constantly (see
figure 1). Reynold number for laminar flow is lesser than 2300. The characteristics
for laminar flow are such as it flow in low velocity, the motion of particles of the fluid
is very orderly with all particle moving in a straight line parallel to the wall of the
tubing. The average Reynold number calculated is 391.55 which is less than 2300
and it has flow rate between 4.2 x 10-6 m3/s to 4.4 x 10-6 m3/s.

While for turbulent flow, the Reynold number is more than 4000. The characteristics
of the flow can be observed in Figure 3 where the dye mix rapidly and completely
with the water, and it has high velocity and the particle path is completely irregular.
The average Reynold number calculated is 6301.55 which is more than 4000 and
the flowrate is between 6.6 x 10-5 m3/s to 7.2 x 10-5 m3/s.

Last but not least, the flow which lies between laminar and turbulent flow are called
as transitional flow. The Reynold number for transitional flow lies between 2300 and
4000. From Figure 2, it has both laminar and turbulent motion of particle of the dye.
Where it has average velocity and the dye stream waver in water where it mixed
slightly with the water. The average Reynold number calculated is 2280.08 and the
flowrate is between 2.4 x 10-5 m3/s to 2.6 x10-5 m3/s.
Throughout the experiment, there are some error may exist if the procedures are not
done carefully, one of them is by taking more than one value of flowrate. This is
because the volume of fluid collected may vary in each trial. So thus it will affect the
result. So, to make it easier, average Reynold number is taken. Next is during the
time where the flow is observed, a plain white paper or an A4 paper is placed behind
the tubing to observe the flow of the dye in the tubing since it is observed by naked
eyes. By proceeding the experiment with the steps mentioned, the error that may
exists can be minimized thus leading to more exact result.