CHEN3600 Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering

Fall 2012
Chemical Engineering Department
Bonus E
T.D. Placek
Auburn University

Bonus E Fluid Mechanics Explain Questions

During the semester, we have repeatedly discussed the need to prepare for
the upcoming CHEN3AA0 Concept Inventory Exams.
Please consult the description of this exam for additional information.
Please consult this courses syllabus to find the relevant course outcomes.
As a 10 point (maximum) bonus, provide as a Word document (both in
hardcopy and emailed as an attachment) 5 questions that could be included
on the Concept Inventory Exam that are related to the subject matter
covered in CHEN2610 Transport I.
The solution to each question should demonstrate that the student can
describe and explain the underlying fluid mechanics and other principles
(math, sciences, physics, etc.).
After listing 5 possible questions, select what you feel are the best two and
provide a complete and acceptable answer. For each of these two questions,
also provide two answers which would not be considered acceptable. Explain
why these answers would not be acceptable.
THERE IS TO BE NO INTERACTIONS WITH FELLOW STUDENTS ABOUT THIS
ASSIGNMENT.
Example Questions (You may not use these)
Air is flowing in a 6 diameter pipe with a length of 100 ft with a half-open
gate valve located in the middle of the pipe section. A senior engineer is
talking to a newly hired engineering over coffee and donuts and he asks,
Did you consider the possibility of cavitation in your calculations? How
should the newly hired engineer respond?
In applying the Reynolds Transport Theorem to the case of momentum, what
terms appear on the side of the equation that represents the Lagrangian
point of view and what principle is employed to represent this term?

Student Submissions
Student 1
1. You are assigned by your company to a project to design a dam, and
you first create a scale model of the prototype. Before performing
similitude to glean information about the prototype itself, the project
manager asks which dimensionless group, the Reynolds number,
Froude number, or Weber number, should be considered as the most
important parameter to model this situation. State any assumptions
that would be made.
2. In relation to pressure gradient effects, explain the origin and concept
of boundary-layer separation over a curved surface.
3. When the temperature is increased, explain why viscosity decreases in
liquids yet increases in gases.
4. The Bernoulli equation and the first law of thermodynamics energy
equation look similar but are quite different. Explain the difference
between these two equations and when each is applicable.
5. The Moody diagram is a valuable tool used to relate the resistance
coefficient, or friction factor, Reynolds number, and relative roughness
for turbulent flow in systems. You have used this diagram countless
times to solve problems, but one day you are asked why the friction
factor eventually becomes constant as the Reynolds number increases.
How do you respond?
Answers:
Problem 1:
Acceptable Response:
The Froude number should be used for similitude between the model and
prototype. By its definition, the Froude number relates the kinetic forces to
the gravitational forces. In a dam, assuming that the waters velocity is large
enough to discount the negligible viscous effects of the fluid and that surface
tension effects are also negligibly small for the substantial flow through the
dam, gravity is the major force that drives the flow of water through the
process. In this situation, the gravitational force affects the flow pattern of
the system significantly. In contrast, the Reynolds number relates kinetic and
viscous forces, and the Weber number relates kinetic and surface tension
forces. Neither viscous nor surface tension effects are significant in modeling
this process so these dimensionless groups are not important in this
situation.
Unacceptable Response:

1. The Reynolds number should be used because water flows in this

process with a kinetic force. Viscous forces are present and contribute
to the loss of energy in this system, which should be taken into
account in the analysis.
This response fails to correctly identify the main dimensionless parameter,
the Froude number, and lists the Reynolds number as the main contributor to
flow even though viscous effects have little relevance in the system. The
response goes on to needlessly try to cite that energy loss from viscous
dissipation should be taken into account, which is not relevant to the analysis
asked. Overall, the student fails to exhibit an understanding and distinction
among the dimensionless groups.
2. The Froude number should be used because gravity pulls the water
down and makes it go over the dam. The Weber number and Reynolds
number are unimportant.
This response barely answers the question posed and exhibits little
understanding of the dimensionless parameters involved. The student shows
he or she remembers that the Froude number involves gravitational forces
but does little to explain why it is more significant than the other two
dimensionless groups posed, which he simply states are unimportant.
Overall, the student inadequately explains the distinctions between the
parameters involved and demonstrates only a simple knowledge of the
Froude number.
Problem 5:
Acceptable Response:
The friction factor is defined as the ratio of the shear stress acting at the wall
to the kinetic pressure while the Reynolds number is the ratio of the kinetic
to viscous forces of a fluid. As the Reynolds number increases, a point is
reached at which the ratio between the shear stress at the wall and kinetic
pressure becomes stable. As a result, as the Reynolds number increases,
which subsequently increases the velocity due to its definition, the shear
stress at the wall increases at a proportional rate so that the friction factors
force ratio does not change. This does not mean, however, that the
individual forces are not changing; it simply means that the force ratio is
constant so that the system being analyzed depends only on the relative
roughness elements and Reynolds number.
Unacceptable Answers:
1. The friction factor stabilizes since it reaches a limiting value where it
ceases to change. This occurs over a wide range depending on the
various roughness of the pipes.
This response offers no theoretical backing to justify why the friction factor
stabilizes. The student only states what he or she sees happening on the
graph as an answer, which demonstrates no knowledge of the underlying
concepts behind the Moody diagram and the friction factor.

2. The friction factor stops changing once it enters the turbulent flow
region after it transitions from a laminar profile. This explains why it
happens as the Reynolds number increases since the flow changes
from laminar to turbulent over a transition region at a certain Reynolds
number.
This response completely misinterprets and incorrectly answers the posed
question. The Moody diagram provides values for various roughness
elements and Reynolds numbers for fully rough, turbulent flow. Hence, the
discussion of the transition from laminar to turbulent flow is incorrect and
does not describe the reason of why the friction factor stabilizes.

Student 2
Question 1:
Explain what Assumptions must be made to use the Bernoulli equation and
explain what terms are missing for actual flow as to why you must these
assumptions.
Question 2:
Explain the significance of the number 2000 in relation to the Reynolds
number. Explain the terms of the Reynolds number.
Question 3:
Compare and contrast skin friction and minor losses in piping systems.
Question 4:
Explain the difference between geometric similitude and dynamic similitude
in respect to modeling. Is a model the same as a prototype? Explain?
Question 5:
Explain the kinetic energy correction factor and when it must be applied and
the implications for laminar and turbulent flow.

Acceptable Answers
Question 1:
Explain what Assumptions must be made to use the Bernoulli equation and
explain what terms are missing for actual flow as to why you must these
assumptions.
Question 1: Acceptable answer
The Bernoulli equation is only to be applicable along a streamline. Secondly
the Bernoulli equation is valid if and only if it is a potential flow situation. The
terms that are missing from the Bernoulli equations for actual flow are the
losses terms that appear in the energy equation. The terms that are missing
in the case of potential flow have to do with frictional losses and potential
flow ignores all viscous forces that affect the flow close to the wall.
Question 1: Unacceptable answer 1
Assumptions
hL is missing from the equation
-Potential Flow
-Streamline
Why is it a bad answer?
The student just listed his assumptions not why he made them. Explain
questions should be written in sentence format with correct grammar
and punctuation. No equations or symbols should be used.
Question 1: Unacceptable answer 2
Must assume potential flow along a streamline.

P1
V2 P
V2
+ z 1+ 1 = 2 + z2 + 2 +h L

2g
2g
Why is it a bad answer?
The student only answered the first half of the question. Then the student
put the energy equation instead of the Bernoulli equation. The student
had the right assumptions yet wrote the equation wrong. No equations
or symbols should be used.
Question 3:
Compare and contrast skin friction and minor losses in piping systems.
Question 3: Acceptable Answer
Similarities include that both skin friction and minor losses both have to do
with frictional losses in a piping system. The differences take shape in
the places they occur. Skin friction occurs as frictional losses at the
wall of the pipe, whereas minor losses occur in the components of a
piping system such as elbows and tees.
Question 3: Unacceptable Answer 1
Skin Friction Frictional losses that occur at pipe wall.
Minor Losses Losses that occur in components of piping system
Why is it a bad answer?
The student just regurgitated definitions from his/ her fluid mechanics class
and doesnt give any similarities or differences.
Question 3: Unacceptable Answer 2
Minor losses are the small losses in a piping system and skin friction are the
bigger losses in a piping system.
Why is it a bad answer?
The student showed no knowledge of subject matter and was just trying to
pull definitions out of the air.

Student 3
1. A rubber ducky is floating in a bathtub full of water that is enclosed in
an airtight bathroom. If the air pressure in the bathroom were to
increase, what would be the affect on the ducky?
a. Acceptable: Assume that the water is an incompressible fluid. If
the air pressure in the bathroom was to increase, there would be
an increased downward force applied to the top of the rubber
ducky. In order to counteract the increase in force, the rubber
ducky will displace more water by sinking lower into the water.
That is, the buoyant force will increase as a result of the increase
and pressure and the rubber ducky must displace more water to
account for it.
b. Unacceptable: FB=FUp-FDown, FB will increase
i. Unacceptable because it does not demonstrate any
knowledge of fluid mechanics concepts. Nothing is being
explained and only an equation is cited.
c. Unacceptable: The pressure increase will not affect the rubber
ducky. Only the water will be affected and the ducky will remain
in the same position.
i. Unacceptable because since water is an incompressible
liquid, it will not be effected by the increase in pressure.
This answer does not show any knowledge or
understanding of the employed concepts.
2. A heater is placed in the middle of two points in a slow flowing
channel, point 1 and point 2. The fluid is flowing away from point 1
and toward point 2. How does the speed of the fluid compare at the
two points?
3. Two of the most commonly used dimensionless groups used in fluid
mechanics are the Froude number and the Reynolds number. Explain
the differences between the two groups and describe the situation in
which each number would apply (i.e. fluid moving along a streamline
for Froude number).
4. Describe what is meant by boundary layer and how it relates to fully
developed flow regions.

a. Acceptable: The boundary layer is the point sufficiently close to

the boundary in a flow situation in which the velocity changes
from the free stream value. The point at which the boundary
layer reaches half the diameter all the way around a pipe
constitutes fully developed flow.
b. Unacceptable: The boundary layer is the part in a flow where the
velocity is zero and fully developed flow is when there is no
boundary layer.
i. Unacceptable because it is a nonsensical answer that does
not constitute even an elementary knowledge of the
applied concepts
c. Unacceptable: Fully developed flow is when the fluid is flowing at
a maximum velocity yet is still laminar flow. The boundary layer
is where the flow is turbulent.
i. Unacceptable because the answer looks made up and the
student is trying to throw random concepts around in the
answer in an attempt to look like the right answer.
5. Describe what is meant by head loss and how it is applied as it relates
to fluid mechanics.

Student 4
1. Explain the significance of a completely turbulent regime.
2. Explain the significance of the Reynolds number in pipe flow.
Acceptable: In fluid mechanics, the Reynolds number (Re) is a
dimensionless quantity engineers use to estimate if a flow is laminar or
turbulent and can be viewed as the ratio of kinetic to viscous forces,
where kinetic forces are associated with fluid motion. A low Reynolds
number implies viscous effects are important, while a high Reynolds
number implies kinetic forces are predominate. In fluid flow, the
Reynolds number indicates where the flow is laminar, transitional, or
turbulent.
Unacceptable: The Reynolds number is a number used to measure a
flows stability or instability.
Why answer is unacceptable: No citation of major fluid mechanics
principles or concepts, with no demonstration of understanding.
Unacceptable: Re
Why answer is unacceptable: Although the equation is correct,
there is no demonstration of understanding. Citation of the Reynolds
number equation is not sufficient.
3. Describe the relationship between form drag and friction drag.
Acceptable: Form drag is the portion of the total drag force that is
associated with the pressure distribution, i.e. the force resulting from
wind contacting a moving aircraft. Friction drag is the portion of the
total drag force that is associated with the viscous shear-stress
distribution. The drag force is the sum of the two forces.
Unacceptable: Form drag acts on the front of an object, and friction
drag acts on the sides.
Why answer is unacceptable: No citation of pressure distribution or
viscous shear-stress distribution. No additional statements or examples
to exhibit understanding of the concept.
Unacceptable: dFD = -p dA cos + dA sin
Why answer is unacceptable: Just citing an equation with no
demonstration of knowledge or key concepts.
4. Explain the meaning of boundary-layer thickness and relate it to the
process of boundary- layer separation.
5. Explain the relationship between developing and fully developed laminar
and turbulent flows, identifying the key concept to classification.

Student 5
Sample Problem A:
Explain the concepts of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.
Sample Problem B:
Explain the difference of laminar and turbulent flow.
Sample Problem C:
Explain the concepts of shear, shear stress, and shear rate.
Sample Problem D:
Explain how to solve for laminar flow sphere drag.
Sample Problem E:
Explain the importance of dimensionless numbers, such as the Reynolds
number, in systematically solving problems related to fluid dynamics.
Responses to the questions on the CHEN 3AA0 Exam are marked as
either acceptable or unacceptable. Several sample answers are
provided below.
Acceptable Answer to Sample Problem D:
The drag coefficient of a sphere is particularly useful in applications involving
spherical objects such as particles and droplets. For Reynolds number less
than 0.5, the flow around the sphere is laminar and amenable to analytical
solutions. An exact solution for the drag of a sphere can be found using
Stokess equation: FD= 3V0d. The drag force on the sphere is essentially
the sum of the form drag and friction drag. Form drag is the portion of the
total drag force that is associated with pressure distribution. Friction drag is
the portion of the total drag force that is associated with the viscous shearstress distribution.
*This is an acceptable answer because major engineering and science
concepts are cited and a properly constructed explanation is then developed
using the key concepts.
Unacceptable Answer to Sample Problem D:
Use the Stokess equation to find the sphere drag.
*This is an unacceptable answer because it simply cites the name of an
equation. It does not identify the key concepts nor does it demonstrate
sufficient knowledge.
Unacceptable Answer to Sample Problem D:
Drag force is the concept that is associated with pressure differences and
shear-stress variabilities.

*This is an unacceptable answer because it is erroneous and insufficient in

demonstrating knowledge of the concepts.
Acceptable Answer to Sample Problem E:
Dimensionless numbers, such as the Reynolds number, are often used in the
art of similitude to predict prototype performance from model observations.
To achieve exact similitude, the model must be a scale model of the
prototype, and the values of dimensionless groups must be the same for the
model and the prototype. Only the most important dimensionless groups are
used. Four common independent dimensionless groups used in Chemical
Engineering and fluid dynamics are the Reynolds number (Re), the Mach
number (M), the Weber number (We), and the Froude number (Fr). Because
of the complexity of fluid mechanics problems, the design of fluid systems
relies heavily on these methods of experimenting and similitude, and thus,
ultimately, dimensionless numbers.
* This is an acceptable answer because major engineering and science
concepts are cited and a properly constructed explanation is then developed
using the key concepts.
Unacceptable Answer to Sample Problem E:
For fluid dynamics problems, dimensionless numbers are always equal for
prototypes and models. Therefore, the Reynolds number is essential in
comparing two flow systems.
*This is an unacceptable answer because it is erroneous and insufficient in
demonstrating knowledge of the concepts.
Unacceptable Answer to Sample Problem E:
Re= LV/ , where Re is the Reynolds number.
*This is an unacceptable answer because it simply cites an equation. It does
not identify the key concepts nor does it demonstrate sufficient knowledge.

Student 6
1) Explain the differences between laminar and turbulent flow, and what may
be the benefits of tripping a fluid into turbulent flow as it enters a pipe rather
than allowing it to develop in a laminar fashion.
2) Explain the differences between the Lagrangian and Eulerian perspectives
of flow, and how the Reynolds Transport Theorem relates them.
3) Explain the concept of Head loss in a flow system and what each specific
term in the energy equations real world meaning is.
4) Discuss the importance of Similitude, not only in terms of modeling, but
also benefits in industry.
5) Name the different parts of a boundary layer. Explain how and at what
point they develop, and what significance they have to the properties of the
flow in that region.
GOOD ANSWERS
1) The differences between laminar and turbulent flow are numerous.
Laminar flow is only common in small pipes with relatively low velocity. There
is a uniform parabolic velocity distribution and no excess energy that must
be dissipated through eddies or wakes. Also the shear stress distribution
depends mostly on the viscosity of the fluid. Turbulent flow is more common
in large pipes with high flow rates because that is conducive to a higher
Reynolds number and the transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurs
between a Re of 2000 and 3000. The Velocity distribution turbulent flow is
more evenly distributed than laminar flow but they both have similar drop off
to zero at the wall due to the boundary effects of the fluid. The shear stress
distribution in turbulent flow is more a function of the density instead of the
viscosity in laminar flow.
Tripping of a fluid creates the formation of the turbulent boundary layer
immediately rather than letting it develop naturally over the whole entry
zone. The cross-stream mixing that is prevalent in turbulent flow promotes
an increase in the effective viscosity of the fluid, which allows the velocity
distribution to spread out and transport more fluid quicker with fewer losses.
3) Head loss is an account for the losses of mechanical energy that will occur
during flow due to heat produced by the interactions of the fluid particles
together, or the interactions of the fluid particles with different components
in the system. These different losses must be taken into account in order to
know how much power must be supplied to pumping stations, and also how
much can be gained from turbines.
The energy equation can be described in words as the head introduced by
the flow into the control volume added to the head added by any pumps is

equal to the head taken away from the control volume by the flow added to
the head withdrawn from the system by turbines added to the head loss due
to thermal energy and components in the system.
BAD ANSWERS
1) Laminar flow is smooth and turbulent flow is rough. There are more losses
associated with laminar flow relative to its flow rate. Turbulent flow happens
in big pipes with high flow rates. Tripping the flow would be better because it
would allow the flow to develop as turbulent flow instead of having to
develop as laminar and then eventually transition into turbulent.
-This answer is unacceptable because I have failed to give any
description that has any real meaning to an engineer. And I never explained
why tripping the flow into turbulence is actually better.
3) The head loss is comprised of losses in energy due to thermal energy
being created by the fluid in a system. Some losses are also contributed by
components in the system. The energy equation can be described as head
coming in+head being added=head going out+head being taken
out+head being lost.
-This answer is unacceptable because nothing is specific enough and
the wording is neither concise nor informative in any fashion. The description
of power equation lacks any real depth and each term is rather vague.

Student 7
1. Your Aunt Mabel has been having difficulties with her washing machine.
Every time she uses it there is a loud banging noise in the pipes
connected to it. She asks you as a young Chemical Engineer proficient
in fluid mechanics to identify and explain the undesirable phenomenon
and suggest three possible ways of preventing it.
-The cause of the noise is due to water hammer. When a valve is
suddenly closed, pressure moves in a wave upstream of the valve and
continues through the pipe at the speed of sound. The phenomenon is
cyclical and often knocking sounds are audible as the water
reverberates up and down the pipe. To prevent water hammer your
Aunt could install a water hammer arrestor, partially close the shut-off
valve for the washing machine thus reducing velocity of the stream by
reducing the flowrate or she could install a larger diameter pipe for the
water line to the appliance. Smaller diameter pipes are more
susceptible to water hammer.
Unacceptable answer: Associating the problem with a pressure build up
in the pipes. While partially correct, the answer must include the
definition of water hammer and explain more completely the process
of a valve being closed and the positive pressure wave generated
upstream by the forward momentum of the flowing fluid. A second
unacceptable answer would be trying to explain the problem citing
equations for static fluids such as the Bernoulli equation.
2. In words, define and explain the significance of alpha in the Energy
Equation. Why is = 1 for turbulent flow?
3. What is similitude and why is it important of engineers?
-Similitude is a comparison of dimensions, kinematic properties,
geometries and any other aspects of a model to its full scale counterpart.
It is important for engineers to test designs for safety and economic
reasons. It is more practical to perform experiments on a prototype in
order to be assured of success in the full sized unit. Similitude makes sure
the ratio of intrinsic properties in the real to the model part is correct.
Unacceptable answer: Merely stating that similitude implies or means
similarity of one object to another. Not answering the question is a
second unacceptable student response.
4. Is it valid to use the ideal gas equation of state for gases other than air?
Why or why not? If not, what correction is needed to apply the ideal gas
assumptions to non-ideal gases?
5. What does little b stand for in the Reynolds Transport Theorem?

Student 8
1. A fireman is holding a fire hose with a nozzle attached in order to
extinguish a flame. Assume that the flows into and out of the nozzle
are in the positive X-direction and that the positive Z-direction is
pointing upwards. What direction must the fireman apply force in in
order to keep the hose and nozzle assembly stationary when the water
flows through the hose? Cite any relevant equations and/or principles
used to formulate your answer.
Acceptable answer: The fireman must provide a force on the hose
directed in the positive X-direction and in the positive Z-direction. The
net force acting on a control volume surrounding the nozzle in the Xdirection is related to the momentum of mass entering and exiting the
control volume via the linear momentum equation.

F=

C .V .

vd + vpV dA= m
o v o m
i vi
C.S.

Due to the decreased cross-sectional area and pressure of the

free jet exiting the nozzle, the velocity and therefore the momentum of
the fluid exiting the nozzle is greater than that of the fluid entering the
CV. Since the net flux of momentum through the control volume is in
the positive X-direction and the momentum accumulation is zero, the
fireman must supply a force in the positive X-direction in order to keep
the conduit from moving with respect to the X-axis.
Since mass is not flowing in or out of the control volume in the Zdirection and gravitational force is the only force acting on the object in
this direction, the fireman needs to apply force upwards in order to
counteract the downward force of gravity on the hose and keep it from
moving in the Z-direction.
Unacceptable Answer: The external force must be in the positive Z
direction. Although fluid is entering and exiting the nozzle in the Xdirection, the mass flow rate of the two flows are equal and no force is
needed to keep the hose from moving in the X-direction. The only force
the fireman needs to apply is a force on order to keep the hose from
falling.
Why is it unacceptable? Besides not mentioning what equation
he or she used to arrive at this answer, the student completely
ignored the change in momentum of the fluid in the nozzle. Since
the fluid accelerates in the nozzle, there is a net flux of
momentum and therefore a net force is needed in order to keep
the nozzle from moving in the X-direction.

Unacceptable Answer: The external force must be in the positive X

and Z direction. The momentum equation.

F=

C .V .

vd + vpV dA
C . S.

Why is it unacceptable? Even though the individual reached the

correct answer and referenced the correct principle, the student
does not give any explanation to how the momentum equation
yields her answer. Simply listing an equation does not prove a
given statement, especially if the reader is not familiar with that
equation.
2. A fluid enters a conduit from a large reservoir. When the fluid initially
enters the conduit, the velocity profile of the fluid will change from the
initial velocity distribution (developing flow) towards the final velocity
distribution (fully developed flow). What physical phenomenon causes
the velocity profile of the conduit to change? Why does this
phenomenon occur? What happens to the phenomenon when the flow
becomes fully developed?
Acceptable Answer: The boundary layer is responsible for the
changes in velocity that occur within a developing flow. When the
initially moving fluid enters the conduit, the no-slip condition states
that the velocity of the fluid must equal the velocity at the barrier.
Therefore the velocity of the molecules next to the stationary pipe
must have zero velocity. This sudden drop in velocity creates a
boundary layer in which the velocity of the fluid rapidly changes from
the free-stream velocity to zero. As the fluid moves down the conduit,
the boundary layers forming near the wall of the pipe will grow in size
with the outermost edge of the boundary moving closer to the center
of the conduit. The flow becomes fully developed when these boundary
layers meet at the center of the pipe at which point every molecule of
the fluid is part of the boundary layer. At this point, the velocity
distribution in the fluid is no longer changing due to the changing
boundary layer and the distribution will be that of the fully developed
flow.
Unacceptable Answer: The boundary layer. Flow next to a boundary
must have a boundary layer that changes the velocity of the water.
The boundary layer disappears when L/D > 50.
Why is it unacceptable? Outside of the incomplete sentence that
starts the answer, the student provides little to no explanation
for his answer, stating his (correct) answer but leaving it up to
the reader to determine why the boundary layer forms and how it
influences the velocity of the flow. Also, the student states an

equation that not only is not valid for this given question (that
equation tells the user when the flow is fully developed for
turbulent flow only, not what happens to cause the flow to
become fully developed) but is not given any explanation as to
why that equation shows what happens when the flow becomes
fully developed.
Unacceptable Answer: The motion of the fluid is responsible for the
changing nature of the flow. Although the fluid starts out flowing one
way, just entering the pipe causes the distribution of the flow to
become fully developed.
Why is it unacceptable? The student did not even mention the
development of the boundary layer in his or her answerthe
ultimate cause of the fluids change in velocity in a conduit.
Furthermore, the student did not have an explicit answer for the
final question, leaving it to the reader to determine what
happens to cause the flow to become developed.
3. The atmosphere on Earth consists of a mixture of fluids (gasses) that
we call air. Does the air exert any forces on objects within the Earths
atmosphere? If it does exert a force, why do most objects sink to the
bottom of the atmosphere? If it does not, explain your reasoning.
4. An engineer wishes to find the discharge of a proposed piping system
by building a scale model of the system. In order for the engineer to
obtain accurate results via similitude, what dimensionless number
should the engineer keep constant between the proposed design and
the scale model? Explain your reasoning.
5. Describe the differences between the Lagrangian and Eulerian
approaches to fluid mechanics. How can these two approaches be
related to each other?

Student 9
1. You are going to the Doctor for your yearly check-up. The nurse comes
in and checks your heart rate and then she asks to take youR Blood
Pressure. She proceeds to pump up her inflatable device around your
arm and waits for about one minute as the pressure decreases.
Explain how the movement of red blood cells produces a force
on the walls of blood vessels.
2. Explain the concept of the Kinetic Energy Correction Factor and
how it is employed.
3. For your high school science project, you are asked to make a model of
a Boeing 747 wide-body commercial airliner. Because of your interest
in planes and aeronautics you take it upon yourself to do some
research on drag forces. What art of predicting prototype
performance from model observations would you use and
explain how it relates to this project.
4. You notice that over the years your drive way has faded in color. You
talk to your next-door neighbor about the differences in the color of the
concrete and he recommends that you rent a pressure washer from
Lowes. A pressure washer consists of a small engine that drives a
water pump connected to a high-pressure hose and a nozzle type
mechanism. At the end of the nozzle, a high velocity stream of water is
produced. Are there any losses in this system and explain your
answer.
5. The Titanic is the most memorable ship in commercial liner history.
However, the fate of its first voyage was ill prepared. It was deemed as
the unsinkable ship but ultimately ended up splitting in two parts and
sinking to the bottom of the ocean. For the Titanic to float on
water, what must happen? Explain using engineering
principles.
(4) Acceptable: First, there needs to be a control volume established in the
system between the nozzle and pump so the momentum equation can apply.
The pressurized water is then released at the end of the nozzle creating a
free jet where there is no pressure. The possible losses in the system include
the kinetic energy loss due to friction of the hose. Also, some of that high
pressure is transferred into energy in the form of heat because of the sudden
decrease to no pressure.
Unacceptable: The loses in the system is mainly the friction in the hose.
While water is moving through, turbulent flow occurs. Based on the

momentum equation, there is a loss of energy. The water is then heated up

and comes out as a free jet.
--This explanation will not work because it cites the momentum equation
without specifying a control volume. It shows a lack for demonstrating the
idea of loses and friction is not the only answer. It makes no reference to the
initial high pressure and what happened to it.
(5) Acceptable: For the Titanic to float on water we simply turn to the
concept of buoyancy. Buoyancy is simply a concept that in order for an
object to float, it must displace an equal amount of fluid. In the Titanics
case, the ship only needed to displace enough water equal to that of the
submerged part of the ship. There is a net upward force equal to the weight
of the displaced fluid.
Unacceptable: The people who made the Titanic were experienced
builders. In order for the Titanic to float the buoyant force must be equal to
the specific weight of water times the volume displaced.
--This is unacceptable because a simple equation was expressed via words
and not variables. The concept of buoyancy is not explained or mentioned.

Student 10
1. Explain the difference between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.
Give an example of each.
2. A hydrometer is a device used to measure the specific gravity of
liquids. A typical hydrometer is a weighted glass tube that floats
upright in a liquid and has graduations to mark specific gravity. Explain
the principles that allow the device to work.
3. What are the general assumptions of the Bernoulli equation and how
does it differ from the general energy equation?
4. What is water hammer, why is it a problem and what is a potential
solution to the problems associated with the phenomena?
5. What is the purpose of dimensional analysis? What is the Reynolds
number a measure of?

3. The Bernoulli equation is applied along a streamline for potential

flow, which means there are no viscous forces, loses, and the fluid is
incompressible. The general energy equation is applied to a real fluid
at two different sections and accounts for average flow velocities and
losses.
Unacceptable: The Bernoulli equation assumes there are no viscous
forces. The general energy equation accounts for these losses.
This answer doesnt account for the fact the Bernoulli equation is
applied to a streamline.
Unacceptable: The Bernoulli equation is applied along a streamline and
assumes there are no viscous forces. The general energy equation is
also applied along a streamline, but losses are included.
This answer is wrong because it states the general energy equation is
applied along a streamline. If this were true, then there would be no
accounting of losses in the general energy equation.
1. A Newtonian fluid has a shear stress directly proportional to the rate of
strain of the fluid. An example of a Newtonian fluid is water. A nonNewtonian fluid does not have the direct proportionality of shear stress
to the rate of strain. A non-Newtonian fluid would be ketchup.
Unacceptable: Both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids follow
Newtons Law of Viscosity but non-Newtonian fluids dont follow the
relationship proportionally. Water is Newtonian and ketchup is nonNewtonian

This answer is wrong because non-Newtonian fluids do not follow

Newtons Law of Viscosity.
Unacceptable: Newton experimented on Newtonian fluids, while
Newton did not run experiments on non-Newtonian fluids. Water is
Newtonian and ketchup is non-Newtonian.
This answer is unacceptable because it clearly shows the student
doesnt know what a Newtonian fluid is and the question was not fully
answered.

Student 11
Question 1
What is the difference between the Lagrangian and the Eulerian approach?
Question 2
What is the difference between the Energy equation and the Bernoulli
equation?
Question 3
Explain the reason why a rock that is in a lake would sink while a boat that is
1000 times the weight of the rock would float?
Question 4
Explain why when you put a glass tube in a body of water that the water
level inside the tube rises above the reservoir level?
Question 5
What are the benefits of a dimensionless number rather than a number with
dimensions?
Question 2
What is the difference between the Energy equation and the Bernoulli
equation?
Correct Answer:
The Bernoulli equation is conservation of kinetic, potential, and flow
energies of a fluid stream and their conversion to each other in regions of
flow where net viscous forces are negligible. The Energy equation is the
conversion of mechanical energy to thermal energy as a result of frictional
effects as mechanical energy loss.
Incorrect Answer:
The Bernoulli equation is: (V1)2/2 + p1/y + z1 = (V2)2/2 + p2/y + z2
The Energy equation is: a1(V1)2/2 + p1/y + z1 + hp= a2(V2)2/2 + p2/y +z2
+ h t + hL
Reason Why Incorrect:
The reason why this answer is incorrect is because even though these
equations are right it doesnt explain conceptually why the Bernoulli equation
and Energy equation are different.
Incorrect Answer:
The Bernoulli equation involves only mechanical energy and the
Energy equation involves both mechanical and thermal energy.
Reason Why Incorrect:

The reason why this answer is incorrect is because this doesnt at all
explain how mechanical energy is applied to the Bernoulli equation nor does
it explain how mechanical and thermal energy is applied to the Energy
equation.
Question 3
Explain the reason why a rock that is in a lake would sink while a boat that is
1000 times the weight of the rock would float?
Correct Answer:
The reason why the boat floats is because according to Buoyant Forces
the boat weighs exactly the same as the volume of water it would displace.
The rock sinks because it weighs more than the volume of water it displaces
and exerts the remaining weight on the bottom surface.
Incorrect Answer:
The reason why the rock sinks and the boat floats is because the rock
is larger than the boat but weighs less. So the larger the object the more
likely it would sink under water.
Reason Why Incorrect:
The reason why this answer is incorrect is because the size of an object
doesnt affect how an object would float or sink. The buoyancy of an object
depends on the weight of the object and its ability to displace enough water
to float.
Incorrect Answer:
The rock or boat is able to sink/float because the upward force that is
produced on a body that is totally or partially submerged in a fluid when the
fluid is in a gravity field
Reason Why Incorrect:
The reason why this answer is incorrect is because this tells the
definition of a buoyant force but doesnt describe how the rock/boat,
sinks/floats.