ES123 Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Transport Processes Spring 2011

Homework #4: Pressure and Tension

Distributed: Wednesday, March 11th Due: Wednesday, March 23rd

VERY IMPORTANT: Due to the size of the class we will have TWO sections for COMSOL
and TWO sections for lab. The class will be split into TWO groups alphabetically:

If your last name is between Aftab and Hopkins, you will:

1) attend the COMSOL module (Pierce G12A) on Weds, March 23rd (10 – 11 AM)
2) build microfluidics (Pierce G, lounge area) on Mon, March 28th (10 – 11 AM)
3) test microfluidics (Pierce G, lounge area) on Weds, March 30th (10 – 11 AM)
4) attend regular lecture on Fri, March 25th, Fri, April 1st and Mon, April 4th
If your last name is between Housser and Zimmerman, you will:
1) attend the COMSOL module (Pierce G12A) on Fri, March 25th (10 – 11 AM)
2) build microfluidics (Pierce G, lounge area) on Fri, April 1st (10 – 11 AM)
3) test microfluidics (Pierce G, lounge area) on Mon, April 4th (10 – 11 AM)
4) attend regular lecture on Weds, March 23rd, Mon, March 28th and Weds, March
30th
YOU MUST ATTEND THE COMSOL MODULE AND LAB!

Reading: White, chapter 1 section on surface tension and chapter 2 (pressure in a fluid).
Both sections are posted online.

1) Flap-valves. The Acadians in Nova Scotia used a system of simple flap valves to drain
dyked-in lands during low tide and prevent water from returning during high tide. A schematic is
shown below in the high tide condition. The top of the valve is 5 meters below the water
surface. The valve is 0.5 m in height and has a width of 0.2 m (into the page). The density of
water is 1000 kg/m3 and g = 10 m/s2. What is the net horizontal force, Fh, due to the water
pressure on the gate?

Does your answer depend on the angle of the gate? Why or why not?
2) Small differences in gas pressure are commonly measured with a micromanometer (see
below). This device consists of two large reservoirs having a cross-sectional area Ar, which are
filled with a liquid of density r and connected by a U-tube of cross-sectional area Au containing
a liquid of density u. When a differential gas pressure p1 – p2 is applied a differential height h
develops. To be easily read, it is convenient of h to be sufficiently large. Determine the
relationship between h, p1 –p2 when the area ratio Au/Ar is small. Assume that initially the fluid
levels in the two reservoirs are equal when p1 = p2. Clearly show why Au/Ar << 1 is useful and
why reading h can be amplified with small values of u – r.
 3) An inverted circular cylinder of diameter D is partially filled with water and held in place as
shown bellow. The bottom plate (mass m) has mass m and is not fastened to the cylinder.
Determine the relation between the pressure in the air-filled cavity and the mass at which the
bottom plates falls off. The atmospheric pressure, outside of the cylinder, is patm.

4) Consider a drop hanging upside down from a surface (see below). A drop like this is called a
pendant drop. Use dimensional analysis to relate the maximum size of a pendant drop (before
it drips) to the surface tension and other parameters.

Measure the diameter on a few pendant drops (you could make the drops in your kitchen or look
outside if it’s raining) and use your measurement to estimate the surface tension of water.

5) A solid cylindrical needle of diameter d, length L, and density n may float in liquid of surface
tension . Neglect buoyancy and assume a contact angle of 0 degrees. Derive a formula for
the maximum diameter dmax able to float in the liquid. Calculate dmax for a steel needle in water.
If you wanted to design a needle that reliably floats, would you select a material with a large or
small contact angle? Why?