AGUSTIN, MARK JOSHUA M.

MODULE 1, CW #2
2013103638 SIGNATURE
CE142P-2 / E02

FLUID PROPERTIES
I. DENSITY AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY
A. Density

In fluid mechanics, density, with the Greek symbol rho (ρ), is the mass per unit volume. Density is used
to define the properties of mass of fluids. The SI unit for density is kg/m 3, for metric is gram/cm3, and
for English is slugs/ft3. The value of density can differ between fluids, differences in pressure and
temperature having minimal effects on the value of density. For the ideal gas, the density can be based
on the Ideal gas law and the specific gas constant. Where density is equal to absolute pressure all over
gas constant (Joule/kg-°K) multiplied by temperature (°K). where the value of the gas constant is 287
Joule/kg-°K or 1,716 lb-ft/slug-°R.

Table 1: Density Table

B. Specific Gravity

Specific gravity, s, is a dimensionless ratio of fluid’s density. It is a ratio of the density of any fluid all
over the density of water in a given temperature. The density of water at 4°C is 1000kg/m 3. The specific
weight, density, and unit weight are connected, and from any calculations of the three the each property
can be calculated.
𝜌 ɣ
𝑠= =
𝜌 ɣ
 II. VAPOR PRESSURE AND CAVITATION
A. Vapor Pressure

Vapor pressure is the process of molecules on a liquid to escape the liquid surface. The molecules from
the vapor can transform into a liquid state through the process of condensation. The Condensation and
Vaporization process are equilibrium processes at a constant temperature. The equilibrium pressures
made by the molecules are also known as the saturation pressure or the vapor pressure.

B. Cavitation

The process of cavitation occurs when the there is a continuity disruption in the fluid where there is a
large amount of pressure reduction. Bubbles formed from the liquid or cavitation starts when the
presence of positive pressure equal to the pressure of saturated vapor in a particular temperature.

Different kinds of liquids have various level of resistance towards cavitation since it depends to a
specific point of degree, with respect to the concentration of fluids and foreign particles present in the
liquid.

Types of Cavitation

1. Vaporous Cavitation
- A boiling or ebullition process that occurs when the bubble increases significantly in an
limitless manner as liquid transforms into vapor. This takes place when the amount of
pressure goes below the vapor pressure of the liquid.
2. Gaseous Cavitation
- A dispersal process that takes place when the pressure decreases below the saturation
pressure of a non-condensable gas dissolved in the liquid. In comparison, the vapor
cavitation is rapid, occurring in microseconds, while the gaseous cavitation is slower having
timing depending on the fluid circulation.
 III. ENERGY AND SPECIFIC HEATS
A. Energy

Bernoulli’s equation can also be known as one of the statement of conservation of energy principle with
respect to fluid flow. This equation is one of the important equations in fluid mechanics. It considers the
relationship of pressure and velocity in an non-viscous incompressible flow.

1 1
𝑝 + 𝜌𝑣 + 𝜌𝑔ℎ = 𝑝 + 𝜌𝑣 + 𝜌𝑔ℎ
2 2
Where:

h= height above reference level (m)

v= average velocity of fluid (m/s)
p= pressure of fluid (Pa)
g= acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

B. Specific heats

Specific heat is the amount of heat needed to increase the temperature per gram of substance by one
Celsius degree. The units for specific heat are calories or joules per gram per Celsius degree.

IV. COMPRESSIBILITY AND SPEED OF SOUND

A. Compressibility

When the fluid is a liquid or it is greater than one-third of the speed of sound, then the fluid may be
considered as incompressible. Incompressible fluids have constant density. The difference of densities of
fluid changes in pressure is the main factor considered when identifying if the fluid is incompressible.

Compressible fluids have more complex equations because of the changes in density and having
relationship properties that differ more faster compared to incompressible fluids. The process becomes
more complex when the substance transforms into gas.

B. Speed of sound

Sounds, similar to waves can travel at specific speed that has the properties of frequency and
wavelength. from the formula; Speed of sound (v) is equal to frequency(f) multiplied by wavelength (λ).
The wavelength is the length of the wave measured between sequential identical points.

𝑣 = 𝑓𝜆

V. VISCOSITY
A. Viscosity

Viscosity is the resistance of fluid, either gas or liquid, to a change in shape, or movement of near
portions connected to each other. Viscosity indicates resistance to flow. The opposite of viscosity is
known as fluidity. Fluidity is the mitigation of flow. Due to the parts of the fluid is forced to move
carries along to some parts, viscosity is known as the internal friction between molecules. Viscosity is
the main factor for identifying the forces fluids needed when used as lubrication and for fluid
transportation in pipelines.
 VI. SURFACE TENSION AND CAPILLARY EFFECT
A. Surface tension

Surface tension occurs when the top or surface of liquid is in contact with another fluid. Surface tension
is the tension of the surface film of a liquid caused by the attraction of the particles in the surface layer
by the bulk of the liquid, which minimizes surface area. surface tension also depends on the force of
attraction between the particles within the fluids and also with solids. The energy responsible for surface
tension is an approximate equivalent to the work or energy needed to remove the surface layer of the
molecules in a unit area.

B. Capillary effect

Capillary action happens when there is ascension of liquids through a cylinder or tube. Capillary action
takes place due to adhesive and cohesive forces. The liquid is drawn upward because of the interaction
between the phenomena. The narrower the tube is, the higher the liquid will be.

4𝜎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 4𝜎
ℎ= , ℎ=
ɣ𝑑 ɣ𝑑

where:
h= capillary rise or depression (m)
ɣ= unit weight (N/m3)
d= diameter of the tube (m)
σ = surface tension (Pa)
VII. REFERENCES

Fluid mechanics/Fluid properties - Wikibooks, open books for an open world. (n.d.). Wikibooks.
Retrieved November 14, 2022,
from https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Fluid_Mechanics/Fluid_Properties
Capillary action. (2022, November 2). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved November 14,
2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_action
Cavitation. (2022, April 27). VEDANTU. https://www.vedantu.com/physics/cavitation
Conservation of energy in fluid mechanics - Bernoulli's equation. (2021, November 2). Nuclear
Power. https://www.nuclear-power.com/laws-of-conservation/law-of-conservation-of-
energy/conservation-of-energy-in-fluid-mechanics-bernoullis-principle/
Fluid mechanics of surface tension explained. (n.d.). Encyclopedia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/video/151076/Explanation-surface-tension
Specific heat. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/specific-heat
Speed of sound. (2022, November 6). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved November 14,
2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_sound
Vapour pressure. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/vapor-
pressure
Viscosity. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/viscosity