EXPERIMENT NO.

4
INVESTIGATION OF FORCED VORTICES

Year and Section: 3CE-D Date Started: April 21, 2021

Group Number: 4 Date Finished: April , 2021
Group Members: Date Submitted: April , 2021

AGUAS, JOSHUA ALAIN G. GARCIA, BIEN BYRON B.

SEBASTIAN, SHERWIN DAVE VER, AUSTIN JOSEPH

1. INTRODUCTION
A motion of fluid spinning or swirling rapidly, often turbulent, around the center is
known as vortex. Vortices can naturally occur or be produced in a laboratory. Any spiral
motion with closed streamlines is a vortex flow. Vortices have two types of vortex: free vortices
and forced vortices. A free vortex is formed without external force or energy to rotate the fluid,
and the degree of rotation can be due to conservation of angular momentum or due to
asymmetry of geometrical and physical boundary conditions of the flow. A forced vortex, on
the other hand, is produced by external forces such as rotating a vessel containing fluid or by
paddling in fluid. At the center, the speed and rate of rotation of the fluid in a free vortex are
greatest while moving away from the center causes reduction of rotation speed progressively.
Contrarily, the speed of the forced (rotational) vortex is zero at the center and increases
proportional to the distance from the center. Both types of vortex exhibit a pressure minimum
at the center, though the pressure minimum in a free vortex is much lower

Vortex behavior facilitates our comprehension of natural phenomena such as

tornadoes, hurricanes, and whirlpools (free vortices) and these phenomena often have
unfortunate effects as witnessed during hurricanes, tornadoes, or scour holes created
downstream of a dam outlet. Understanding vortex enabled engineers and designers to be
able to characterize forced vortices generated in machinery such as centrifugal pumps or
turbines which lead to turbomachinery and hydraulic structures that take advantage of the
previous said phenomena. An example is a hydrodynamic separator used in water treatment
plants that separate solid materials from liquids which is based on vortex behavior (swirling
flow).

2. OBJECTIVE
The objective of the experiment is to

3. APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES

● Containers
● Markers
● Ruler/Meter tape
● Acetate sheets ()
● Adhesive tape
● Turntable device and accessories
● Camera/Cellphone

4. PROCEDURE

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 CASE 1A
1. The researcher prepares a beverage container
with a cap (as shown).
2. The researcher then can create a hole on the
center of the cap as the exit point of the fluid while
discharging but in this experiment the researcher
removes the cap and uses the outlet of the
container.
3. Fill the container with water.
4. Invert the container to allow free flow of water.
5. The researcher then observes and records the
behavior of water as it slowly drains out of the
container.
6. The researcher also observes and records the time
to totally drain water from the container.
7. Repeat the process three (3) times and make a
summary.

CASE 1B
1. Using the same container in case 1A, the researcher then
invert the container while using a finger or palm to cover
the outlet of the container.
2. Gyrate the container and remove the finger or palm from
the hole. A vortex should form.
3. Take photos at the start, middle and until water is almost
fully discharged.
4. The researcher examines and records the shape of the
vortices at different instances then compare and assess.
5. The researcher also records the time to drain the water
from the top to middle and middle to almost drained. (The
researcher might add an interval if he/she wishes.)
6. Repeat the process three (3) times for clockwise rotation
and three (3) times for counterclockwise rotation and
compare all the data.
7. Also the researcher investigates whether the rate of flow
with forced vortex is a function of the magnitude of
gyration.

CASE 2A
1. The researcher provides a large
container with an open top.
2. The researcher then creates a hole
on the center of the bottom of the
container.
3. Fill the container with water.
4. Allow free flow of water.
5. The researcher observes and records
the behavior of water as it slowly
drains out of the container.
6. The researcher then indicates the
depth where the vortex formed.
7. Repeat the process three (3) times
and summarize the observation.

CASE 2B

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 1. The researcher creates a larger hole at the center of the bottom of the container.
2. The researcher then repeats the procedure in Case 2A using the larger hole.
3. Redo Case 2B with two (2) larger sizes of holes.

CASE 3A
1. The researcher prepares two containers with cover, 1-cylindrical and 1-rectangular
prism.
2. The researcher then places the cylinder on a revolving device concentrically.
3. Fill half the cylinder with water. Attach plastic acetate to the cylinder if available or
mark the container.
4. Rotate the cylinder until the water surface in the center moves by 25 mm from its
original position (y-axis movement).
5. Draw the shape of the water surface on the acetate using a photo taken while the
cylinder is rotating.
6. Provide a written description and magnitude of the revolution of the cylinder.
7. Repeat the experiment 3 times.
8. Redo 2 to 7 until the water level at the center is zero (water surface is touching the
bottom of the container).
9. Redo 2 to 7 until the water surface at the bottom of the container is 25 mm away from
the center.

CASE 3B
1. The researcher places a rectangular prism on a revolving device concentrically.
2. Fill half the rectangular prism with water. Attach plastic acetate to the container if
available.
3. Rotate the rectangular prism until the water surface in the center moves by 25 mm
from its original position.
4. Draw the shape of the water surface on the acetate using a photo taken while the
container is rotating.
5. Provide a written description and magnitude of the revolution of the container.
6. Repeat the experiment 3 times.
7. Redo 2 to 7 until the water level at the center is zero (water surface is touching the
bottom of the container).
8. Redo 2 to 7 until the water surface at the bottom of the container is 25 mm away from
the center.

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5. DATA AND RESULTS

Table 3.5.1 CASE 1- Weight Determination

Case1A Case1B
(pouch with coins) (pouch with coins in cup)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 1 Trial 2

Weight of object in air, g 160 165 160 160

Weight of object in water, g 120 120 120 120

Weight in air - weight in water, g 40 45 40 40

Observed Buoyancy Force, N 0.3924 0.4415 0.3924 0.3924

Table 3.5.2 CASE 2- Volume Determination

Trial 1 Trial 2

Weight of coins in air, g 160 160

Measured Volume displaced, cm3 150 150

Calculated weiBght of displaced water, g 150 150

Calculated Buoyant Force 1.4715 1.4715

=Unit weight of water x Volume displaced, N

Table 3.5.3 CASE 3- Weight Determination

Trial 1 Trial 2

Weight of coins in air, g 160 160

Weight of pouch with coins in water (cup 1), 130 120

g

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 Weight of pouch with coins in water (cup 1 80 70
and 2), g

Weight of pouch with coins in water (cup 1, 2 60 60

and 3), g

Weight of cup 1 with water and pouch with 230 235

coins, g

Weight of cup 2 with water, cup 1 with water 240 240

and pouch with coins, g

Weight of cup 3 with water, cup 2 with water, 840 840

cup 1 with water and pouch with coins, g

6. FORMULAS AND COMPUTATIONS

Table 3.6.1. Computations for the observed buoyant force

W ❑N , g OBF , N

Formula W ❑N =W air −W water❑ OBF=W ❑N (0.00981)

Case1A: Trial 1 W ❑N =160−120=40❑ OBF=40❑

❑ (0.00981)=0.3924

Case1A: Trial 2 W ❑N =165−120=45❑ OBF=45❑

❑ (0.00981)=0.4415

Case1B: Trial 1 W ❑N =160−120=40❑ OBF=40❑

❑ (0.00981)=0.3924

Case1B: Trial 2 W ❑N =160−120=40❑ OBF=40❑

❑ (0.00981)=0.3924

Table 3 .6.2. Computations for the calculated weight of displaced water and buoyant force

Calculated weight of CBF , N

displaced water

Formula m CBF=V ❑
❑ (0.00981)
1= ; V =m
V
Case 2: Trial 1 150 cm 3=150 g CBF=¿❑
❑ 150( 0.00981)=1.4715¿

Case 2: Trial 2 150 cm 3=150 g CBF=150❑

❑ (0.00981)=1.4715

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7. FIGURES/DIAGRAMS/GRAPHS/DOCUMENTATION

Apparatus and Supplies

Figure 3.7.1: Large, Medium, Small water container Figure 3.7.2: Yarn, Scissor, Cutter, and Marker

Figure 3.7.3: Kitchen Scale Figure 3.7.4: Measuring cup

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Figure 3.7.5: 10 pcs of 10 and 5 peso coins

Case 1A: Weight Determination

Figure 3.7.6: Weight of object in air. Trial 1 Figure 3.7.7: Weight of object in water. Trial
1

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Figure 3.7.8: Weight of object in air. Trial 2 Figure 3.7.9: Weight of object in water. Trial
2

Case 1B: Weight Determination

Figure 3.7.10: Weight of object in air. Trial 1 Figure 3.7.11: Weight of object in water. Trial
1

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Figure 3.7.12: Weight of object in air. Trial 1 Figure 3.7.13: Weight of object in water. Trial
1

Case 2: Volume Determination

Figure 3.7.14: Weight of coins in air. Trial 1 Figure 3.7.15: Measured Volume Displaced.
Trial 1

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Figure 3.7.16: Weight of coins in air. Trial 2 Figure 3.7.17: Measured Volume Displaced.
Trial 2

Case 3: Weight Determination

Figure 3.7.18: Wgt. of pouch w/ coins in air Trial 1 Figure 3.7.19: Wgt. of pouch w/ coins in
water (Cup 1) Trial 1

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Figure 3.7.20: Wgt. of pouch w/ coins in water Figure 3.7.21: Wgt. of pouch w/ coins in
(Cup 1 and 2) Trial 1 water (Cup 1,2 and 3) Trial 1

Figure 3.7.22: Wgt. of cup 1 (overall) Trial 1 Figure 3.7.23: Wgt. of cup 2 (overall) Trial 1

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Figure 3.7.24: Wgt. of cup 3 (overall) Trial 1 Figure 3.7.25: Wgt. of pouch w/ coins in air
Trial 2

Figure 3.7.26: Wgt. of pouch w/ coins in Figure 3.7.27: Wgt. of pouch w/ coins in
water (Cup 1) Trial 2 water (Cup 1 and 2) Trial 2

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Figure 3.7.28: Wgt. of pouch w/ coins in Figure 3.7.29: Wgt. of cup 1 (overall) Trial 2
water (Cup 1,2 and 3) Trial 2

Figure 3.7.30: Wgt. of cup 2 (overall) Trial 2 Figure 3.7.31: Wgt. of cup 3 (overall) Trial 2

Case 4A

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Figure 3.7.32:Large container & small bottle Figure 3.7.33: Fill up to half point of small
bottle

Figure 3.7.34: Fill up to highest point of small bottle Figure 3.7.35: Fill way beyond the top of
small bottle

Case 4B

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Figure 3.7.36:Large container & small bottle Figure 3.7.37: Fill up to half point of small
bottle

Figure 3.7.38: Fill up to highest point of small bottle Figure 3.7.39: Fill way beyond the top of
small bottle

8. POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ERRORS

.
Different speed for gyration

9. DATA ANALYSIS/CONCLUSION AND REMARKS

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Connect the experiment to the topic (Explain further)

Case 1A – nag bubbles ba? Nag create ba ng vortex? At what height nag create ng vortex? Gaano
katagal na drain yung tubig? (three trials)

Case 1B – at what height nag start ma form yung vortex? Gaano katagal na drain yung tubig? At what
height mawawala yung vortex? Mas mabilis ba na drain kapag may formation ng vortex or kung
walang vortex? Mas (three times for clockwise rotation and three times for counterclockwise rotation)
Also investigate whether the rate of flow with free vortex is a function of the magnitude of gyration

Case 1A and Case 1B - Is there a difference in the time element? Explain. What practical use of
vortex can you think of?

Case 2A – Is there a vortex form? at what depth of water did the vortex form?

Case 2B – Did the depth of water where the vortex form change? Did the velocity of the vortex
change? Is there a correlation between the diameter of the hole and diameter of the container?

Case 3A – What is the rotational speed or revolution required to achieve the said shapes? Kailangan
bang bilisan o bagalan?

REFERENCE/S

https://uta.pressbooks.pub/appliedfluidmechanics/chapter/experiment-8/

(2154) Experiment # 8 Free and Forced Vortices - YouTube

APPENDIX A: MINUTES OF MEETING

1. ATTENDANCE

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 Duties/Responsibilitie Meeting Details
Member
s Date Time Status
11:00 AM –
03/16/21 Present
Aguas, Joshua Alain 2:00 PM
Experimenter
G. 12:00 –
03/21/21 Present
2:00PM
11:00 AM –
03/16/21 Present
2:00 PM
Garcia, Bien Byron B. Researcher
12:00 –
03/21/21 Present
2:00PM
11:00 AM –
03/16/21 Present
Sebastian, Sherwin Researcher 2:00 PM
Dave 12:00 –
03/21/21 Present
2:00PM
11:00 AM –
03/16/21 Present
2:00 PM
Ver, Austin Joseph Researcher
12:00 –
03/21/21 Present
2:00PM

2. SUMMARY OF THE MEETING/CONFERENCING

● In the first meeting, our groupmate, Joshua, did the experiment. After obtaining the data, we
discussed each group mates' part of the experiment.
● In the second meeting, we did the paperworks for the experiment. We discussed some of the
questions other members had, to help with the paper works.
● After the meeting, we finished our parts of the experiment in our own time.

3. VIDEO CLIPS and/or PICTURES

(for video clips – attach/indicate the GDrive link of recording)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bT5x7vwHy9U-j4tM6OFONiGvAPs2IvP7/view?usp=sharing

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