UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

AND
BASIC PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS

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 Systems of Units of Different Quantities
Quantities Symbol SI English
Length L meters feet
Mass M kg slug
Time t seconds (s) seconds
Acceleration a m/s2 ft/s2
(gravitational) g 9.81 m/s2 32.2 ft/s2
Force F Newton (N) Pounds(lb)
Weight W Newton Pounds
Temperature T
Ordinary Celsius (C ) Fahrenheit (F)
Absolute Kelvin (K) Rankine (R)
Pressure p Newton/sq.m. Pound/sq.ft.
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Comments:
It is always my custom of using these two different system
of units. It is your responsibility then of familiarizing and
knowing by heart the conversions of these units from one
system to the other.
Like:
1 inch = 2.54 cm = 25.4 mm
1 kg = 2.2 lb-force
1 kg = 9.81 N
1 m = 3.28 m

Fundamental values of equivalents are very important to be

remembered for conversion, especially if memorising is your
Waterloo. Very important values are highlighted in red or
blue.
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 PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS

Specific Weight, 
It is defined as the gravitational force per unit volume of fluid
or simply the weight per unit volume and is given the symbol
 (gamma). Water at 20oC has a specific weight of 9.79 kN/m3
and at 4oC equal to 9.81 kN/m3 English: w = 62.4 lb/ft3
W
=
V

Mass Density , 
It is defined as the mass per unit volume and has units equal to
kg/m3. It is obtained by dividing the specific weight by 9.81 g.
At 4oC the mass density of water is 1000 kg/m3 and at 20oC it is
equal to 998 kg/m3.
M
=
V
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Specific Gravity (sp.gr. )
It is defined as the ratio of the specific weight of a given fluid to
specific weight of water at a standard reference temperature.
The standard reference for water is taken at 4oC where specific
weight of water at atmospheric pressure is 9.81 kN/m3. Specific
gravity is the ratio of the specific weights therefore it is dimen-
sionless and is independent of the system of units used.

Specific gravity of object

specific weight of object
=
specific weight of water

weight of object
=
weight of equal volume of water

(mass) density of object

=
(mass) density of water 5
Specific Volume, 

1
=


Where: 3
 = specific volume, ( m )
kg
kg
 = mass density, ( 3 )
m

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7
Reference fluid: water
w = 9810 N/m3 (SI units)

w = 62.4 lb/ft3 (English units)

 = 1000 kg/m3 (SI units)

 = 1.94 slug/ft3 (English units)

g = 9.81 m/s2 (SI units)

g = 32.2 ft/s2 (English units)

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Comments:
In solving problems, it is just done by manipulating the formulas
given by transposition or cross-multiplication and then direct
substitution.

In the study of Mechanics of Fluids or Fluid Mechanics we always

use a reference fluid and that is, WATER. One of the simplest
reason for that is its specific gravity of 1. Even in the study of gas ,
we use water to give us an idea of the weight of any substance
compared to water, which is readily available among all other
fluids.

For references, you can use legitimate references in the internet:

videos (youtube), articles, documents, books, journals, etc. and
in our e-library.
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Comments:

CONVERSION OF TEMPERATURE
From the notes provided, shown are the two types of temperature:
Ordinary and Absolute. The oCelsius and oFahrenheit are so familiar
but I don’t know how the oKelvin and oRankine will appear to you. For
the conversion of temperature from SI ordinary to SI absolute and
English ordinary to English absolute, just do this:

oK = oC + 273
oR = oF + 460

From SI ordinary to English absolute

oC  oF  o R

From English ordinary to SI absolute

oF  oC  oK
From SI absolute to English absolute

oK  oC  oF  oR

From English ordinary to SI absolute

oR  oF  oC  oK

If you have a direct conversion in the internet you are lucky but, I still
require you to do the steps above during quizzes or check up test if it
is indicated or as per instruction.

An assignment is given below. Try to answer them without relying

solely on open notes without thinking. Because by thinking you are
learning.
 ACTIVITY 2 (@Home)
10/26/2020
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the symbol for Mass density (in word and symbol
please)?
2. Give the unit of mass in English system.
3. What is the other term for Unit weight?
4. What is the symbol for stress?
5. What is relationship between Mass density and Specific
volume?
6. Convert 20oC to: (Show the steps and values used in the conversion)
a) oR
b) oK
7. What is the equivalent of 500oR to oK?

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PROBLEMS
1. If 5.8 cu.m. of oil weighs 47,500 N, calculate its density in
a) SI Units
b) Eglish units
2. Carbon tetrachloride has a mass of 650 kg and a volume of
of 0.45 m3. Compute its unit weight and specific gravity.

3. The specific weight of an object is 2250 N/m3. Compute its

specific volume.

4. The volume of a substance is 0.0025 m3 and has a specific

gravity of 2.75. Determine its weight in
a) N
b) lbs
5. An object has a specific volume 0.005 m3/kg. Compute its
specific gravity.
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