Chapter 3

Uncertainty Analysis and Density Measurement

3.1 Measures of Mass
When dealing with uids and uid ow the absolute measure of mass (kg, slugs, or lbm) can be inconvenient. There are a variety of indirect methods for describing property of mass in thermodynamics and uid mechanics. These indirect measures of mass include specic gravity, specic volume, specic weight, and density. Specic Volume: The specic volume of a uid is the volume per unit mass and is typically denoted as v: volume L3 v= mass M Specic volume is commonly expressed as m3 /kg in the SI system. Density: The density of a uid is the mass per unit volume and is typically denoted as : = M mass 3 volume L

Density is equal to the inverse of the specic volume: = 1 v and is commonly expressed in units of slug/ft3 in the British Gravitational System and in lbm/ft3 in the English Engineering System. In the SI system density is expressed as kg/m3 and as g/cm3 in the CGS system. Density of liquids is relatively insensitive to pressure; water increases by only 1% for a 220fold increase in pressure. Thus, most liquids are treated as incompressible in engineering analysis. Specic Weight: The specic weight of a uid is the weight per unit volume and is typically denoted as : F M weight 3 2 2 = volume L L t Using the denitions of Force and Density, the Specic Weight can be expressed as = g. Specic Gravity: The specic gravity is the ratio of the uid density to a standard reference; water for liquids and air for gases. Specic Gravity is dimensionless: SG = 11 ref

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CHAPTER 3. UNCERTAINTY ANALYSIS AND DENSITY MEASUREMENT For liquids and solids, distilled water at 4 C and 101.325 kPa is used as the reference density; ref = 998 kg/m3 = 1.936 slugs/ft3 .

Additional information on these properties can be found in Cengel and Boles [2], Munson et al. [3], and Turns [4] as well as any other engineering thermodynamics or uid mechanics textbook.

3.2

Uncertainty Analysis

Uncertainty analysis is a method for estimating the total uncertainty in experimental result based on the uncertainties associated with each of the measured parameters. For example, in this lab the density of an unknown uid will be determined by measuring the mass and volume of the uid. The uncertainty in the density will depend on the combined measured uncertainty of the mass and the volume. Uncertainty analysis is thoroughly discussed in the assigned readings [5, sections 3.2 3.5].

3.3

Objectives

The objectives of this lab are to: To determine the density of an unknown uid by measuring mass and volume. To use uncertainty analysis to determine the amount of error in the derived values.

3.4

Experiment

The experiment uses three pieces of equipment. CP-1500 Model Balance capability of measuring 1500 grams 1 Beaker lled with unknown uid 1 Graduated Cylinder 3.4.1 Procedures

1. Familiarize yourself with the various parts of the set-up, controls and instrumentation. The T Function located on the bottom right hand corner of the balance controls can be used to tare, or zero, the mass reading. 2. Note the uncertainties associated with the balance and the graduated cylinder. 3. Turn on the balance and let the balance warm up for 5 minutes in order to stabilize the electronic circuitry. 4. Zero the reading on the balance. 5. Measure the mass of the graduated cylinder and record the value. 6. With the graduated cylinder still in place, zero the electronic balance again. 7. Carefully pour uid from the beaker into the graduated cylinder until it is nearly full, but not lled above the highest measure. 8. Record the uid volume and measured mass. 9. Carefully pour approximately 1 ml of uid from graduated cylinder back into the beaker. 10. Repeat steps 89 until the graduated cylinder is empty. 11. repeat steps 710 until data table is full.

3.4. EXPERIMENT 3.4.2 Data Analysis

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1. Plot mass versus volume in EES and perform a linear regression on the data by hand and in EES. Determine the correlation coecient for your data. 2. Compare the slope of the line from the linear regression to the mean value of the calculated density. Discuss the relationship between these two values. 3. Derive the expression for the uncertainty in the density measurement. What is the uncertainty of the measured density? Use any one of your data points for the calculation. 4. Perform an uncertainty analysis in EES with your data. How does this calculation compare to the calculation in 3? 5. Include all hand calculations and data sheets with your lab report.

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CHAPTER 3. UNCERTAINTY ANALYSIS AND DENSITY MEASUREMENT

3.5

Data Table

Name: Date:

Bias Error for Balance: Bias Error for Grad. Cylinder: Mass of Graduated Cylinder: Mass (g) Volume (ml)

Lab Partners:

Trial 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Density (kg/m3 )

Specic Weight (kg/m2 s2 )

Specic Gravity

Density Mean Median Mode Standard Deviation

Bibliography
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[15] Agilent Technologies. Agilent 54621A/22A/24A/41A/42A Users Guide. Publication Number 54622-97036, September 2002. [16] L. Solnik manag. ed. M. Kromida D. Irizarry L. C. Forier, ed. and assoc. ed. W. Schildknecht, editors. MOTOR Auto Engines and Electrical Systems. Motor, New York, NY, 1977. ISBN 0-910992-73-8. [17] Edward F. Obert. Internal Combustion Engines and Air Pollution. Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., New York, NY, 1973. [18] Robert Fox and Alan McDonald. Introduction to Fluid Mechanics. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1985. ISBN 0-471-88598-3. [19] C.C. Heald, editor. Cameron Hydraulic Data. FlowServe Corporation, Canada, 19th edition, 2002. [20] T. Baumeister, E. A. Avallone, and T. Baumeister III, editors. Marks Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers. McGraw-Hill Book Company, 8th edition, 1978. ISBN 0-07-04123-7. [21] Frank M. White. Viscous Fluid Flow. McGraw-Hill Co., 1974. ISBN 0-07-069710-8.