INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KANPUR

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

MSE 202: Rate Processes: 2023-2024: SPRING SEMESTER

Tutorial 1: Introduction to fluid flow (solutions to be discussed on 12/01/2024)

1. A U-tube manometer contains mercury of density 13,600 kg/m3, and oil as shown in the figure below.
a. When both ends of the tube are open to the atmosphere, h 1 = 0.17 m and Δh = 1 cm. Calculate the
density of the oil.
b. The open end of the left leg is sealed and is pressurized to a gauge pressure P, which causes the
level of the free surface of the oil in the left leg to fall 5 mm. Calculate the value of P.

2. An incompressible Newtonian fluid with density 2320 kg/m 3 and µ = 0.4 Pa∙s is flowing through the tube
having a radius of R= 2m as shown in figure below. What is the maximum velocity which would allow
the flow to be laminar? Assume that the laminar to turbulent transition takes place at a Reynolds number
of 2100.You can make assumptions if you need but show steps.
 3. Two flat plates spaced 0.005 cm apart are separated by a lubricant oil of viscosity 0.2 Pa∙s. If the lower
plate is stationary and the upper plate moves with a velocity of 0.5 m/s along the direction of the length
of the plate, calculate the shear stress required to keep the upper plate in motion. What is the value of the
shear force if the plate dimensions are L= 25 cm, W= 5 cm and T= 0.2 cm?

4. Verify that the following expressions are dimensionless, where the symbols have the usual meaning.

P0 −P L
π 1=
1 2
ρv
2
v
π 2=
√ gL

v
π 3=

√ γP
ρ

5. To examine the relative influences of density and viscosity, consider separately, the flow of oil, water,
and air in a cylindrical tube of diameter 0.08 m at 25°C. The following data are given:

Viscosity (Pa∙s) Density (kg/m3)

Oil 0.8 888

Water 8.57×10-4 997

Air 1.85 1.177

Calculate the maximum velocities of oil, water and air which would allow the flow through this tube to be
laminar. Assume that the laminar to turbulent transition takes place at a Reynolds number of 2100.