ES 212 | Fluid Mechanics

Assignment 1
Notes

 Problems marked with an asterisk are part of in-class exercises. Students must submit the solutions by
the end of the respective tutorial session

 Other problems are part of homework and needs to be submitted before the start of the lecture/tutorial on
18/01/2019

Problem 1*
A block of weight W slides down an inclined plane while
lubricated by a thin film of oil, as shown. The film contact
area is A and its thickness is h. Assuming a linear velocity
distribution in the film, derive an expression for the terminal
velocity V of the block.

Problem 2*
A thin wire ring, 3 cm in diameter, is lifted from a water surface at 20 oC. Neglecting the wire weight, what
is the force required to lift the ring?

Problem 3
The velocity distribution for laminar flow between parallel plates is given by

𝑢 2𝑦 2
=1−( )
𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥 ℎ

where h is the distance separating the plates and the origin is placed midway between the plates. Consider a
flow of water at 15o C, with umax = 0.10 m/s and h = 0.1 mm. Calculate the shear stress on the upper plate
and give its direction. Sketch the variation of shear stress across the channel.

Problem 4
An approximation for the boundary-layer shape shown below is the formula
𝜋𝑦
𝑢(𝑦) ≈ 𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) , 0≤𝑦≤ 𝛿
2𝛿
where U is the stream velocity far from the wall and δ is the boundary layer thickness. If the fluid is helium
at 20 oC and 1 atm, and if U =10.8 m/s and δ = 3 cm, use the formula to (a) estimate the wall shear stress τ w
in Pa, and (b) find the position in the boundary layer τ is one-half of τw .
Problem 5
A concentric cylinder viscometer may be formed by rotating the inner member of a pair of closely fitting
cylinders. For small clearances, a linear velocity profile may be assumed in the liquid filling the annular
clearance gap. A viscometer has an inner cylinder of 75 mm diameter and 150 mm height, with a clearance
gap width of 0.02 mm. A torque of 0.021 N.m is required to turn the inner cylinder at 100 rpm. Determine
the viscosity of the liquid in the clearance gap of the viscometer.

Problem 6
A 73 mm diameter aluminium (SG = 2.64) piston of 100 mm length resides in a stationary 75 mm inner
diameter steel tube lined with SAE 10W-30 oil at 25o C. A mass m = 2 kg is suspended from the free end of
the piston. The piston is set into motion by cutting a support cord. What is the terminal velocity of mass m?
Assume a linear velocity profile within the oil.

Problem 7
A block of mass M slides on a thin film of oil. The film thickness is h and the area of the block is A. When
released, mass m exerts tension on the cord, causing the block to accelerate. Neglect friction in the pulley
and air resistance. Develop an algebraic expression for the viscous force that acts on the block when it
moves at speed V. Derive a differential equation for the block speed as a function of time. Obtain an
expression for the block speed as a function of time. The mass M = 5 kg, m = 1 kg, A = 25 cm2 , and h = 0.5
mm. If it takes 1 s for the speed to reach 1 m/s, find the oil viscosity µ. Plot the curve for V(t).
Problem 8
In a food-processing plant, honey is pumped through an annular tube. The tube is L = 2 m long, with inner
and outer radii of Ri = 5 mm and Ro = 25 mm, respectively. The applied pressure difference is Δp = 125 kPa,
and the honey viscosity is µ = 5 N.s/m2 . The theoretical velocity profile for laminar flow through an annulus
is:

1 𝛥𝑝 2 2
𝑅𝑜2 − 𝑅𝑖2 𝑟
𝑢𝑧 (𝑟 ) = ( ) [ 𝑅𝑖 − 𝑟 − ln ( ) ]
4µ 𝐿 𝑅 𝑅𝑖
ln (𝑅 𝑖 )
𝑜
Show that the no-slip condition is satisfied by this
expression. Find the location at which the shear stress is
zero. Find the viscous forces acting on the inner and outer
surfaces, and compare these to the force 𝛥𝑝𝜋(𝑅𝑜2 − 𝑅𝑖2 ).
Explain.

Problem 9
The cone and plate viscometer shown is an instrument used frequently to characterize non-Newtonian fluids.
It consists of a flat plate and a rotating cone with a very obtuse angle (typically  is less than 0.5 degrees).
The apex of the cone just touches the plate surface and the liquid to be tested fills the narrow gap formed by
the cone and plate. Derive an expression for the shear rate in the liquid that fills the gap in terms of the
geometry of the system. Evaluate the torque in the driven cone in terms of the shear stress and geometry of
the system.

Problem 10
A solid cylindrical needle of diameter d, length L, and density ρn may float in liquid of surface tension Y.
Neglect buoyancy and assume a contact angle of 0 o. Derive a formula for the maximum diameter d max able
to float in the liquid. Calculate dmax for a steel needle (SG = 7.84) in water at 20oC.