Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)

Chapter 5: Forces on Immersed Bodies

TUTORIAL 5

1) The drag coefficient of a car at the design conditions of 1 atm, 25C and 90 km/h is
to be determined experimentally in a large wind tunnel in a full scale test. The height
and width of the car are 1.40 m and 1.65 m, respectively. If the horizontal force
acting o the car is measured to be 300 N, determine the drag coefficient of this car.
Take the density of air at 1 atm and 25C is = 1.164 kg/m3. (0.35)

2) During the high Reynolds number experiment, the total drag force acting on a
spherical body of diameter D = 12 cm subjected to airflow at 1 atm and 5C are is
measured to be 5.2 N. The pressure drag acting on the body is calculated by
integrating the pressure distribution (measured by the use of pressure sensors
throughout the surface) to be 4.9 N. Determine the friction drag coefficient of the
sphere ( = 1.269 kg/m3 and = 1.38210-5 m2/s). (0.0115)

3) A circular sign has a diameter of 50 cm and is subjected to normal winds up to 150

km/h at 100 kPa and 10C. Determine The drag force acting on the sign. (231 N)

Figure 1

4) The local atmospheric pressure in Denver, Colorado (elevation 1610 m) is 83.4 kPa.
Air at this pressure and at 25C flows with a velocity 6 m/s over a 2.5 m x 8 m flat
plat. Determine the drag force acting on the top surface of the plate if the air flows
parallel to the 8 m long side ( = 1.84910-5 kg/ms). (1.12 N)

5) Light oil at 75F flows over a 15 ft long flat plate with a free stream velocity of 6 ft/s.
Determine the total drag force per unit width of the plate. The density and kinematic
viscosity of light oil are = 55.3 lbm/ft3 and = 7.751103 ft2/s. (5.87 lbf)

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Chapter 5: Forces on Immersed Bodies

6) A 6 mm diameter electrical transmission line is exposed to windy air. Determine the

drag force exerted on a 120 m long section of the wire during a windy day when the
air is at 1 atm and 15C and the wind is blowing across the transmission line at 40
km/h. The density and kinematic viscosity of air at 1 atm and 15C are = 1.225
kg/m3 and = 1.47010-5 m2/s. (54.4 N)

7) A 2.4 in diameter smooth ball rotating at 500 rpm is dropped into a water stream at
60F flowing at 4 ft/s. Determine the lift forces acting on the ball when it is first
dropped in the water ( = 62.36 lbm/ft3 and = 7.53610-4 lbm/fts). (0.17 lbf)

8) A tennis ball with a mass of 60 g and a diameter of 7 cm is hit with an initial velocity
of 90 km/h and a backspin of 4200 rpm. Determine if the ball will fall or rise under the
combined effect of gravity and lift due to spinning shortly after hitting ( = 1.184
kg/m3.

9) A 5 mm diameter plastic sphere whose density is 1200 kg/m3 is dropped into water
at 20C. Determine the terminal velocity of the sphere in water. The density and
dynamic viscosity of water at 20C are = 998 kg/m3 and = 1.00210-3 kg/ms,
respectively. (0.163 m/s)

10) A 0.1 mm diameter dust particles whose density is 2.1 g/cm3 is observed to be
suspended in the air at 1 atm and 25 C at a fixed point. Estimate the updraft velocity
of air motion at that location. Assume Stokes law to be applicable (f = 1.184 kg/m3
and = 1.84910-5 kg/ms). (0.619 m/s)

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Chapter 5: Forces on Immersed Bodies

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Chapter 5: Forces on Immersed Bodies

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Chapter 5: Forces on Immersed Bodies

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Chapter 5: Forces on Immersed Bodies

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