Physics Home > Teaching Labs > Mechanics > Hydrodynamics

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Prerequisites

Lab Activities

Looks at two situations: (1) water exiting a large reservoir through an orifice and (2) water exiting a large reservoir through a capillary tube.

In the first part, the equation of continuity and Bernoulli's equation are used to derive an expres-sion for the acceleration of gravity. Students take height of the water in the large reservoir vs. time measurements, use that data to compute an experimental value of g and compare it to the accepted value.

In the second part, viscosity is taken into account and using the same general relationships an ex-pression for the viscosity of the fluid in the large reservoir is derived. Students take height vs. time measurements, use that data to compute an experimental value for the viscosity of water and com-pare that to a value given in the "Handbook of Chemistry and Physics".

Computer program: POISE

Course Level

Introductory

Student Handouts

Equipment

Number of set-ups available: 10 Per lab station: 1 glass tray 1 500 ml graduated cylinder 1 large reserviou/frame consisting of: 1 C-clamp and large post 3 ring stand clamps 2 larg three pronged clamps 1 meterstick/post 1 bucket/sponge 1 small funnel 1 large beaker 1 thermometer/stopper 1 plastic tray containing: 1 stopwatch 2 orifices - different radii 1 solid #6 rubber stopper 1 calibrated eyepiece 1 ruler 2 capillary tubes - different radii and lengths - one precision bore

Notes

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