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Fluid Statics

Matter exists in three states solid, liquid and gas. Any state of matter that can flow is a fluid.
Liquids and gases are therefore, referred to as fluids.

Density :
Density of a substance is the mass per unit volume. Homogenous bodies have uniform density:
= M/V
The unit of density is kg/m3 in S.I. system. Dimension of density is given by [] = = [M] [L -3].
Relative Density or Specific Gravity :
Relative density of a substance is the ratio of the density of the substance to the density of pure
water (w = 1000 kg/m3) at 4C.
r = /w.
Relative density is dimensionless
Illustration 1: A hollow metallic sphere has inner and outer radii respectively as 5 cm and 10
cm. If the mass of the sphere is 2.5 kg, find (a) density of the material (b) relative density of the
material of the sphere.
Solution: The volume of the material of the sphere is
V = 4/3 (r23 r13)

= (4/3)x 3.14 x 0.000875 m3


= 0.00367 m3
(a) Therefore, density of the material of the sphere is
= M/V = 2.5/0.00367 kg/m3
= 681.2 kg/m3
(b) r = 681.2/1000 = 0.6812
Density of a mixture

Let a number of substances of masses M1, M2, M3 etc., and densities 1, 2, 3, etc. respectively
be mixed together. The total mass of the mixture is M1 + M2 + M3 + .
The total volume is M1/ 1 + M2/2 + M3/3 + . , provided that the substances retain their
individual states within the mixture.
Therefore, the density of the mixture is

The same expression may written in terms of the volumes:


The density of the mixture is

where V1, V2, V3 represent the volumes of substances of densities 1, 2, 3 . . . in the mixture
Illustration 2: Two liquids of densities 2.5 gm/cm3 and 0.8 gm/cm3 are taken in the ratio of their
masses as 2:3 respectively. Find the average density of the liquid combination.
Solution: Let the masses be 2 m gm and 3 m gm respectively. Therefore, the volume of the
first liquid of density 2.5 gm/cm3 is V1 = 2m/2.5 cm3
That of the second liquid is V2 = 3m/0.8 cm3
Total volume V = V1 + V2 = 2m/2.5 + 3m/0.8 cm3
Total mass = 2m + 3m = 5 m gm
Therefore, the average density

= 10/9.1
= 1.09 gm/cm3

Exercise 1: Two miscible liquids of densities 1.2 gm/cc and 1.4 gm/cc are mixed with a
proportion ratio of their volumes equal to 3:5. What is the density of resulting liquid?
Pressure

When a surface is immersed within a fluid at rest, the fluid exerts a force perpendicular to the
surface.
This normal force acting on a small surface is proportional to the surface area of the surface in
contact with the fluid.
The magnitude of the normal force acting per unit area within a fluid is called pressure.
If a force F acts on any surface S such that F is acting towards S then the pressure is
given by,
P = |F| / |S|
Pressure P is a scalar quantity. Its unit in S.I. system is N/m2. It is also known as Pascal. There
are several other units of pressure like bar, atmosphere etc.
1 bar = 1.013 105 N/m2
= 1.013 105 Pascal = 1 atmosphere
= pressure exerted by 76 cm of Hg column.
Illustration 3: What are the forces imparted by atmosphere on the walls of a room of dimension
6m 5m 4m ?
(1 Atm. = 105 N/m2)
Solution: The atmosphere imparts a force normal to any surface in contact with it.
We know that the atmospheric pressure
P = F/A
=> F = P A
The area of the walls of the room are (6 4) m2 and (5 4) m2 respectively; putting P = 105 N/m2
and the area of the walls we obtain
F = 2.4 106 N and 2 106 N respectively.

Pascals law

Pascals law
When external pressure is applied to a confined fluid, the fluid transmits this pressure to
every point within, undiminished. At every point on the wall of the container this transmitted
pressure acts normal to the wall of the container.
Let us understand this through an example. Consider a U-tube with each limb having different
cross-sections as shown in the figure.

An incompressible fluid fills the U-tube. Suppose that the area of cross-section of the right limb
is A1and that of the left limb is A2. Both the limbs are fitted with frictionless pistons. Suppose
that a force of magnitude F1 is applied to the right piston downward.
The pressure developed on the right piston is P = F1/A1, which acts normally at every point
within the fluid and also at every point on the wall as well as on the pistons.
Suppose that the force experienced by the left piston due to this pressure P action on it is F2.
According to Pascals law,

(1)
Therefore ,

.. (2)
Since A2 > A1
F2 > F1

..

(3)

Thus, we obtain a larger force F2 by applying a smaller force F1. Now as F2 > F1, does it
violate the principle of conservation of energy? Does it mean that greater work is done by
the left piston than the right piston?
Suppose that the right (smaller) piston comes is displaced downward through a distance x1 and
the left (larger) piston is consequently displaced upward through a distance x2 . As the fluid is
incompressible,
x1A1 = x2A2 = volume of fluid displaced

(4)

where x1A1 = volume of fluid displaced by right piston and x2A2 = volume of the fluid displaced
by left piston.
Therefore, x2 = (A1/A2) . x1

..(5)

The work done by the force F1 on the piston on the right is


W1 = F1x1

(6)

The work done by the force F2 on the piston on the left is


W2 = F2x2

.(7)

From equations (2), (5) and (7), we get,


W2 = (A2/A1) . F1 . (A1/A2) . x1 = F1x1 = W1

(8)

Therefore, W2 = W1 ; .(9)
The work done by the pistons are identical. Therefore, energy is conserved.
Illustration : In a hydraulic press the narrower limb has an area of cross-section 0.25 m2 and
while that of the broader limb is 1 m2. How much force should be applied on to the liquid in the
narrower limb to lift a vehicle of 1000 kg kept on top of the fluid in the larger limb ?
Solution: Let the required force be F1
=> (F1/A1) = (F2/A2) = Pressure
=> F1 =F2(A1/A2) = mg (A1/A2)
1000 x 9.8(0.28) /1 = 9800/4 = 2450 N

Exercise 4: A hydraulic brake has brake lever piston of area 0.01 m2. The wheel drum piston has
area of 0.25 m2. If the driver exerts a force on the lever of 10N, find the force on wheel drum.
Measurement of pressure

(a) Atmospheric Pressure


A one metre long straight glass tube is filled with mercury. The open end of the tube is closed
with the thumb, and then the tube is inverted into a container filled with mercury. It is observed
that approximately 24 cm of the mercury column flows out of the tube.

The atmospheric pressure Po acts on the upper exposed surface of mercury in the container.
This pressure Po is transmitted, according to Pascals law, everywhere within the mercury.
Let the density of mercury be .
In equilibrium Po is just equal to the pressure exerted by the mercury column of depth H
P0 = Hg

(10)

Thus, atmospheric pressure can support a column of mercury of height 76 cm, i.e. H = 76 cm.
If there is residual gas at the upper end of the tube above the mercury column,
then equation (10) should be modified to read:
Po = p + Hg

.(11)

where H is the observed height of mercury in the tube, and p is the pressure of the residual gas
within the tube.
Illustration : Calculate the atmospheric pressure, if the height of mercury column in a barometer
is 760 mm.
Solution: Atmospheric pressure P is measured by the formula P = gh

Where, = density of mercury = 13.6 103 kg/m3 ; g = 9.8 m/sec2


h = height of mercury column = 0.76 m
=> P = (13.6 103 kg/m3) (9.8 m/sec2) (0.76 m)
=> P = 1.013 105 N/m2 = 1.013 105 Pascal (Pa)
[ 1 N/m2 = 1 Pascal]
Pressure of gas enclosed in a vessel

An uniform U-tube containing mercury with a connector in one of the limbs as shown in the
figure can be used to measure the pressure of gas in a chamber. The connector is introduced into
the chamber where the pressure is to be measured. The mercury in this limb will be subjected to
the pressure P of the enclosed gas. The right limb is exposed to the atmosphere and hence the
pressure remains at P0
If P > P0 , then the mercury column will rise in the right limb, and
P = P0 + hg

(12)

where is the density of mercury.


Illustration : The manometer has a water column difference of 50 cm. If the atmospheric
pressure is 105 Pa, find the pressure of the gas in the container.
Solution: Pressures at A and B are equal since the fluid (water) is stationary
=> PA = PB
=> P = Patm + wghw
=> P = 105 N/m2 + (103 kg/m3) (9.8 m/sec2) (0.5 m)
=> P = 1.049 105 N/m2 = 1.049 105Pa
Exercise : Referring to the previous illustration, if the pressure of the gas in the container is
equal to 2 105 Pa, find the corresponding length of the water column.
Archimedes principle

When a body is partially or fully immersed in a fluid at rest, then the body experiences an
upward force called buoyancy. Buoyancy is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the
body.

Suppose that a uniform cylindrical block of mass M and of uniform cross-sectional area A is kept
submerged in a liquid of density . The material of the block has density o .
Suppose that the total volume of the block is V and the submerged volume of the block is VS
(say).
The weight of the block is Wb = Mg = Vog
The volume of the fluid displaced is equal to the submerged volume of the block = VS.
Therefore, the weight of the displaced fluid is
FB = Vsg

, acting vertically upward.

The maximum possible buoyant force FB/max that can act on the block is equal to the weight of
maximum volume of the fluid displaced, which occurs when the body is completely immersed
within the fluid (by force if necessary).
FB/max = Vg
(a) If FB/max Wb , then the block will float in the fluid.
(i) More specifically when FB/max = Wb, it just floats just submerged,
(ii) When FB/max > Wb , then it floats partially submerged.
(b) If FB/max < Wb
then, the block will sink in the fluid. If there is no fluid friction (viscosity) then the equation of
motion of the block is given by

Wb FB/max = Ma
Problems On Fluid Statics

Illustration : A body of mass 2 kg and volume .001/m3 is in a fluid of density 4/3 gm/cm3. The
fluid is at rest. Determine whether the body will float or sink in the fluid. If it floats, then, what
fraction is immersed of volume in the fluid? If sinks, then find out the acceleration.
Solution : The force acting on the body
Fb = Vg = (0.001) (4/3) 1000 (9.8) = 13.06 N
=> Weight of the body (W = mg = 2 9.8) is greater than Fb
=> The body sinks completely.
Its acceleration = (W Fb)/m = 3.3 m/s2
Exercise 6: A rubber ball of mass 10 gm and volume 15 cm3 is dipped in water to a depth of 10
m. Assuming density of water uniform throughout the depth, find
(a) the acceleration of the ball, and
(b the time taken by it to reach the surface if it is released from rest (take g = 980 cm/s2).
(b) Centre of Buoyancy and Equilibrium

The resultant force of buoyancy acts at a fixed point within the body and is known as the centre
of buoyancy.
If the centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy lie on the same vertical line then the body floats
in fluid in equilibrium.
If the centre of buoyancy is above the centre of gravity the equilibrium is stable, otherwise it is
unstable.

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