000635542

Measurement of drag coefficient of a sphere

Bestman, Tompirima

000635542
bt021

02/26/2014

University of Greenwich, School of Engineering, Medway campus

BEng H. Mechanical Engineering

000635542

Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1
Executive summary .................................................................................................................. 2
Objective ................................................................................................................................... 3
Theory ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Apparatus required ................................................................................................................ 5
Results ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Discussion..................................................................................................................................7
Errors..........................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................9
References...............................................................................................................................10
Appendix.................................................................................................................................11

Introduction

000635542

The drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance
of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. The effects of drag exist in every
object that moves in airborne or fluid environment especially in air and water. First, is to
acknowledge that air is a fluid just as water. Though its not a liquid as water, but its called
fluid is because the force required to deform it vary on how fast the deformation occur For
these two objects, the resistances which they experience are air resistance. The car engine
must work a little harder to overcome the force present with air drag. Drag, or more
specifically air drag, is a phenomenon that occurs as an object passes through an air or fluid.
There are few factors that determine the drag force that an object experiences. Some of the
more obvious factors are shape, speed, fluid medium, and surface of the object. In some
instances these factors are manipulated in order to either minimize or maximize drag. In other
cases, drag forces must simply be known in order to design for other parameters possibly
such as engine horsepower, structural strength and many more. Drag coefficient is the ratio of
the drag on a body moving through air to the product of the velocity and the surface area of
the body. Regardless of the need for finding the drag force, the need for an accurate
calculation of this force persists. With this in mind, we experiment with shapes, speeds, and
methods in order to draw insight on the ability to predict drag. In this experiment, we study
the effect of shapes on drag coefficient of an object. Drag consists of two elements and they
are: (Anon., n.d.)
Pressure drag or form drag: This is basically the pressure difference between the downstream
and upstream surface of the body or object. Or it can be said as the total drag force that deals
with the pressure distribution (that is mainly the cross sectional area of the body presented to
the fluid) while skin friction or surface drag is basically due to the viscous shear of the
flowing fluid over the body surface. Or it is said to be the total drag force that deals with the
viscous shear stress distribution (that is mainly smoothness of the surface of the object
moving through the fluid). (Anon., n.d.)

Figure 1: Drag streamlined and bluff body

Executive Summary

000635542

Drag coefficient is the ratio of the drag on a body moving through air to the product of the
velocity and the surface area of the body. It is to analyze and determine the resistance of an
object that move in a fluid environment. The drag coefficient is broadly utilized as a part of
industry incorporating car industry, air ship industry and additionally connected in making
shot. The drag coefficient is a significant hydrodynamic normal for the movement of particles
in both Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids and the likelihood of its assessment dependent
upon scientific mathematical statements is exceptionally noteworthy. Advancement of
numerical model for evaluating drag coefficient qualities is fundamentally dependent upon
estimation correctness. In different cases, drag strengths should essentially be known keeping
in mind the end goal to plan for different parameters conceivably, for example, motor
strength, structural quality and a lot of people more

Objective

To investigate and figure out the drag coefficient or the resistance of an object that
move in air/ fluid environment.
To ascertain the relationship between a Reynolds number and drag co-effective of a
sphere, and compare the experimental results with the theoretical predictions (Anon., n.d.)

Theory
When a fluid flows around a stationary cylinder or when a cylinder moves through a
stationary fluid, the fluid exerts a force on the cylinder called drag force. The sources of this
drag are: (a) friction between the fluid and the surface of the cylinder, and (b) a non-uniform
pressure distribution.
The cylinder in the fluid stream presents a certain area perpendicular to the direction of fluid
motion. This is called the plan form area of the cylinder (length x width (diameter)) the fluid
moves toward and is deflected around the cylinder; some of its momentum is transferred to
the cylinder in the form of pressure on the projected area facing the flow.

000635542

Apparatus Required

Drag Balance: The drag balance scale was fixed to the sphere carrier to measure the
drag force acting on the sphere. This rod is supported on a knife-edge so that it can
swing. A large mass is fixed to the lower end of the rod so that the centre of mass of
the whole system doesnt go above the knife-edge.

Manometer: An inclined manometer was setup and calibrated with the system to
measure the difference in air pressure between a suitable section of the tunnel and the
atmospheric pressure.

Five(5) spheres: The 5 spheres of different diameters were used proving to the
students that the drag force is directly proportional to diameter of the sphere or size of
the body in general

Spheres used for the experiment

Honeycomb

working section

Diffuser

Mesh

long
divergence
Double
contracted intake

The wind tunnel

000635542

Results
Table number computes the drag force obtained for 5 spheres at velocities ranging from 5 to
25 m/s. Following are the dimensions of the spheres:

Different sphere
Sphere Diameter (mm)
colour
Black sphere
48
Red sphere
75
Blue sphere
100
Yellow sphere
125
Green sphere
150
Different sizes and colour of the sphere

Velocity(m/s)
Black sphere
5
10
15
20
25

0.030
0.080
0.170
0.265
0.385

Red sphere
0.050
0.145
0.350
0.580
0.855

Drag Force(N)
Blue sphere
Yellow
sphere
0.075
0.120
0.300
0.445
0.590
0.970
1.000
1.480
1.430
-

Green sphere
0.230
0.770
1.450
-

Constant vibration could allow of the system students to calculate the drag force for the
yellow and green sphere at higher velocities due to their larger diameter and the space
occupied,
Now the expression for drag force is given by:

Where:
Drag force
= density of air
Velocity at which the air is flowing
Area of sphere
Flow resistance coefficient

000635542

The values of

and

are given in table number. The density of the air was determined

using the barometer in the lab, giving the values of pressure and the temperature, which
helped find the density using the following formula:

By taking a clear look at the barometer carefully, Pressure (P) = 739mmHg

Converting 739mmHg to kilopascal: 1mmHg = 0.133Kpa
Therefore, P = 0.133 * 739mmHg = 98.287kpa
And the gas constant of air is, R = 286.9J/Kg
And the Temperature (T) = 19.5o
Converting 19.5 o C to Kelvin:
T = 19.5o + 273 = 292.5K

Now that we have known the density, the viscosity can be known by applying Sutherlands
law, which states:
Blockage ratio can be calculated using this formula given below;

When,
b=
S = 110.4k
Therefore the viscosity of air in the laboratory is:

000635542

Area
Determining the area of the spheres:
Different sphere
colour
Black sphere
Red sphere
Blue sphere
Yellow sphere
Green sphere

Sphere Diameter
(mm)
0.048
0.750
0.100
0.125
0.150

Area(m2)
0.001810
0.441786
0.007854
0.012272
0.017671

Therefore, all the values for finding

and
are known, now the values are found for each
sphere at all the velocities considered, using the following formulae:

FD is the drag force and Asp is also cross sectional area of the sphere.

Where,
= Density of liquid
c = Characteristic length
= Absolute coefficient of viscosity
d = Free stream velocity of the fluid about a vehicle

Where Fd is the drag force, U is the free stream velocity, Ap is the platform area, and D is
the cord length of the shape (cylinder).

000635542

Sphere
colours
Black
sphere

Velocity(m/s) Drag
Force(N)
5.000
0.030
10.000
0.080
15.000
0.170
20.000
0.265
25.000
0.385
Red sphere
5.000
0.050
10.000
0.145
15.000
0.350
20.000
0.580
25.000
0.855
Blue sphere
5.000
0.075
10.000
0.300
15.000
0.590
20.000
1.000
25.000
1.430
Yellow
5.000
0.120
sphere
10.000
0.445
15.000
0.970
20.000
1.480
25.000
Green sphere
5.000
0.230
10.000
0.770
15.000
1.450
20.000
25.000
-

Reynolds Number
1.133
0.755
0.713
0.625
0.581
0.773
0.561
0.601
0.561
0.529
0.652
0.652
0.570
0.544
0.498
0.668
0.619
0.600
0.515
0.889
0.744
0.623

15524.559
31049.117
46573.676
62098.235
77622.794
24257.123
48514.246
72771.369
97028.492
121285.615
32342.831
64685.661
97028.492
129371.323
161714.153
40428.538
80857.077
121285.615
161714.153
48514.246
97028.492
145542.738

Drag flow Resistace Coeff. VS Flow Quality

Drag flow Resistance Coeff.

1.2
1.0
0.8

Black

0.6

Red
Blue

0.4

Yellow
0.2

Green

0.0
0

50000

100000

150000

200000

Reynold's

Graph 1 shows the Reynolds number drag value of the sphere at free air

000635542

Drag Coefficient
Sphere Blockage
Colour
Ratio
Re1=50000 Re2=58000 Re3=64000 Re4=71000 Re5=75000
Black
0.021
0.69
0.62
0.61
0.59
0.581
Red
5.048
0.56
0.58
0.59
0.6
0.6
Blue
0.09
0.66
0.633
0.63
0.622
0.61
Yellow
0.14
0.65
0.624
0.622
0.613
0.611
Green
0.202
0.882
0.85
0.86
0.81
0.803

By extrapolating from the graph above we get the following values

Reynolds

Extrapolated Drag coeffient

50000

0.72

58000

0.66

64000

0.65

71000

0.63

75000

0.62

Plotting these values in a graph we get the following

Drag coefficient VS. Reynold's number

Extrapolated Drag cofficient

0.74
0.72
0.7
0.68
0.66
0.64
0.62
0.6
40000

45000

50000

55000

60000

65000

Reynold's number

70000

75000

80000

000635542

From the(5) five points selected in graph number, are in a region which helps us in
calculating the drag coefficient for every sphere.
As shown above, the graph consists of five curves, each representing one sphere, labeled in
the legend above. The 5 lines are drawn in a region where they can intersect all the 5 curves.
These 5 lines are random values of Reynolds number using which the flow resistance
coefficient can be graphically determined.
Note: The values of flow resistance coefficient are represented in table number altogether
with the values of blockage ratio.
Now calculating the blockage ratio using the following formula:

Where

is the blockage ratio

is area of sphere
And

is area of the tunnel

The area for all the 5 spheres was already calculated in below; we could ascertain below that
the area of projection of the tunnel is a rectangle with a fillet edge.

These four trimmed fillets are at an angle of 45 and it has a length of 70 mm; Hence, by
applying the cosine and sine rule and also considering the triangle above.

000635542

Therefore, area of a rectangle with trimmed ends is as follows:

(

AT = 87507mm2
AT = 0.08751m2
Therefore, blockage ratio, for the black sphere can now be found in the following way:

Note: Blockage ratio does not have unit, is just a ratio.

Therefore, computing the blockage ratio for the five different sizes of spheres, the results are
as follows:

Sphere colour
Black sphere
Red sphere
Blue sphere
Yellow sphere
Green sphere

Blockage Ratio
0.020678292
5.048411232
0.089749533
0.140233645
0.201936449

000635542

Discussion
The objectives of this experiment are to analyze and determine the drag coefficient or the
resistance of an object that move in a fluid environment and to determine the relationship
between the drag coefficient and the Reynolds numbers. The experiments is done by travelled
the sphere with differences mass and diameter under a fix distance which is 1m. From the
result shown that, the increases of the mass and the diameter of the sphere, the shorter the
time required traveled by the sphere. The Reynolds numbers for the computations was based
on the cross section diameter. The increases of the diameter of the sphere result the increase
in the Reynolds number calculated. From calculated results, the drag coefficient decreases for
the given Reynolds numbers. The observed decrease in drag coefficient is caused by a
decrease in the riscous component of the drag coefficient. it is understood that velocity is
directly proportional to the drag force and the Reynolds number and inversely proportional to
the drag coefficient A graph of drag coefficients versus Reynolds number was plotted to
determine the drag force. The graph shown the decreases at the first and a move of uniform
progression in the shape of the curve over the range of aspect ratios considered. The decrease
in the drag coefficient with increasing Reynolds numbers occurs due to a reduction in the
pressure components through the transition from axisymmetric to non-axisymmetric flow.
Also discover that atmospheric temperature and pressure being recorded is to determine the
density and viscosity of air, because the viscosity of air depends on the atmospheric
temperature and density.
The drag coefficient measurements are applied in many applications such as automobile
industry, aircraft industry and making a bullet. The drag coefficient is an important
hydrodynamic characteristic of the motion of particles in both Newtonian and non-Newtonian
fluids and the possibility of its evaluation based on mathematical equations is very
significant. Development of mathematical model for estimating drag coefficient values is
primarily based on measurement accuracy.

Inherent Errors

Random errors occurs due to inconsistence in value obtained from same results,
thereby causing random error due to unstable readings from the apparatus

Systematic errors occur due to inaccurate calibration, unwanted pattern of analysis

due to the environmental effect.

000635542

Marks on the body the sphere used for experiment could cause an error and will give
you uncertain values.

May also experience error due to parallax while taking the reading of the mercury
height.

There is also a possibility for air to escape through the compartment were the sphere
is rolled in before the experiment is carried out

Also experience unusual vibration while carrying out experiment using the last two
sphere (125mm and 150mm by diameter), thereby giving us inaccurate values/
reading.

How the errors could be corrected

If the instrument/apparatus are well calibrated, there is every possibility for one to
have accurate result

The lab scientist or attendant should constantly carryout a major over-haul on the
instrument to avoid failure and uncertainty

Student should also be careful in handling the sphere in order to avoid scratch on the
body of the sphere, thereby not giving wrong value for the drag

Conclusion
In this experiment we analyse and also able to calculate the drag coefficient and Reynolds
number of a fixed spheres with sizes (diameter) and also determined the velocity and the
force for each of the sphere that was used for the experiment. We discover in this experiment
that velocity is proportional to the drag force and the Reynolds number and inversely
proportional to the drag coefficient and also came to realization that there is a different
between experimental values using drag force and the Reynolds number.

000635542

Appendix

Theoretical Calculation by Hand

Finding the Drag coefficient of the Black sphere of diameter 48mm

Area =
At 5m/s and 0.030N

At 10m/s and 0.080N

CD =

CD =

0.75

At 15m/s and 0.170N

At 20m/s and 0.265N

CD =

CD =

At 25m/s and 0.385

CD =

In finding the Reynolds number of the black sphere which has a diameter of 48mm
When,
(u = 1.810*10-5kg/ms and = 1.172kg/m3)
At 5m/s
Re =

At 15m/s
Re =

At 10m/s
Re =

At 20m/s
Re =

At 25m/s
Re =

Finding the Drag coefficient of the Red sphere of diameter 75mm

000635542

Area =
At 5m/s and 0.050N
CD =

At 10m/s and 0.145N

CD =

At 15m/s and 0.350N

CD =

= 0.367

At 20m/s and 0.580N

CD =

At 25m/s and 0.855

CD =

In finding the Reynolds number of the black sphere which has a diameter of 75mm
When,
(u = 1.810*10-5kg/ms and = 1.172kg/m3)
At 5m/s

At 10m/s

Re =

Re =

At 15m/s

At 20m/s

Re =

Re =

At 25m/s
Re =

Finding the Drag coefficient of the Blue sphere of diameter 100mm

Area =
At 5m/s and 0.075N
CD =

At 15m/s and 0.590N

At 10m/s and 0.300N

CD =

At 20m/s and 1.000N

= 2.828

000635542

CD =

CD =

At 25m/s and 1.430

CD =

In finding the Reynolds number of the black sphere which has a diameter of 100mm
When,
(u = 1.810*10-5kg/ms and = 1.172kg/m3)
At 5m/s

At 10m/s

Re =

Re =

At 15m/s

At 20m/s

Re =

Re =

At 25m/s
Re =

Finding the Drag coefficient of the Yellow sphere of diameter 125mm

Area =
At 5m/s and 0.120N
CD =

At 10m/s and 0.445N

CD =

At 15m/s and 0.970N

CD =

At 25m/s and 0N
CD =

At 20m/s and 1.480N

CD =

= 4.195

000635542

In finding the Reynolds number of the Yellow sphere which has a diameter of 125mm
When,
(u = 1.810*10-5kg/ms and = 1.172kg/m3)
At 5m/s

At 10m/s

Re =

Re =

Re =

Re =

At 25m/s
Re =

Finding the Drag coefficient of the Green sphere of diameter 150mm

Area =
At 5m/s and 0.230N
CD =

At 10m/s and 0.770N

CD =

= 4.195

At 15m/s and 0.1.45N

CD =

In finding the Reynolds number of the Green sphere which has a diameter of 150mm
When,
(u = 1.810*10-5kg/ms and = 1.172kg/m3)
At 5m/s

At 10m/s

Re =

Re =

At 15m/s

At 20m/s

Re =

Re =

000635542

At 25m/s
Re =

Calculating the blockage ratio for the five (5) spheres

Blockage ratio of the black sphere =
Area of working section L* B = 0.301 * 0.307 = 0.0924m2
Area of black sphere =
Bratio of the black sphere =

Blockage ratio of the red sphere =

Area of working section L* B = 0.301 * 0.307 = 0.0924m2
Area of red sphere =
Bratio of the red sphere =

Blockage ratio of the blue sphere =

Area of working section L* B = 0.301 * 0.307 = 0.0924m2
Area of blue sphere =
Bratio of the blue sphere =

Blockage ratio of the yellow sphere =

Area of working section L* B = 0.301 * 0.307 = 0.0924m2
Area of yellow sphere =
Bratio of the yellow sphere =

133

Blockage ratio of the Green sphere =

Area of working section L* B = 0.301 * 0.307 = 0.0924m2

000635542

Area of Green sphere =

Bratio of the Green sphere =

191

Reference

Aerospace, M. &. M. E., 2005. University of Sydney. [Online]

Available at: http://wwwmdp.eng.cam.ac.uk/web/library/enginfo/aerothermal_dvd_only/aero/fprops/propsoffluids/node5.h
tml
[Accessed 06 02 2014].
Anon., n.d. [Online]
Available at: http://www.scribd.com
[Accessed 6 February 2014].
Anon., n.d. [Online]
Available at: http://mars.uta.edu
[Accessed 12 February 2014].
Aqua-calc, 2014. aqua-calc. [Online]
Available at: http://www.aqua-calc.com/convert/pressure/millimeter-of-mercury-to-kilopascal
[Accessed 06 02 2014].