Fluid Mechanics - 2010

Homework 2: Hidrostatics
1. A manometer with three fluids, as shown in the figure, is used to measure very small pressure differences
(P1 P2 ). Assuming that both reservoirs have the same amount of fluid,

(a) Derive the equation relating the height h with the pressure difference P1 P2 as a function of the densities of the fluids employed
(1 , 2 , 3 ) and the areas of the reservoirs and the connecting
tube (A y a respectively).

P1

P2

b
x

(b) How would you choose these parameters in order to enhance the
sensibility of the instrument?

Pf

2. A sphere of radius R is made of a material with relative density r . This sphere is placed over a
circular hole of radius a at the bottom of a tank filled with water.
H = 0.8 m

(a) Find a general expression for the range of values of the relative
density r for which the sphere will rise up towards the surface.

R= 20 mm

(b) Specify the range for the particular values given in the figure.
a = 2 mm

3. Consider the L-shaped dam shown in the figure. This dam has a width H (B-C) and can rotate freely
(without friction) around an axis (perpendicular to the paper) passing through the point B.
A

Air

Neglecting the weight of the dam, compute the height

h for which the dam opens automatically.

Axis
h

g
C

B
H

4. A cylindrical vessel filled with a gas is rotating as a rigid body at a constant angular speed . Neglecting
the gravity and assuming an uniform temperature throughout the gas and that the ideal gas equation
of state holds (P = RT , where R is the constant of the gas), show that:


2 r2
P
= e 2RT
P0
where P0 is the pressure at the axis of rotation.

5. The tank shown in the figure is filled with oil (whose relative density is 0.8), and experiences the
indicated acceleration. There is a small orifice in the tank, at the point A. Compute (i) the pressure
in B and C and (ii) the acceleration ax required to make the pressure in B vanish (equal to zero).
150 mm
A

g
4.903 m/s2

1.2m

1.8 m

B
150 mm

6. The figure shows an inverted cylinder hermetically sealed by a piston with a surface of 0.1m2 and
a weight of 500kg that slides without friction. The weight and the volume of the cylinder may be
ignored. Initially, the cylinder and the piston are held in the air. In equilibrium state, the pressure
of the air is 1kgf /cm2 and the length l = 2m. Then, the cylinder and the piston are plunged into
the liquid, until a position at which there are no stresses along the rod. In such position h/l = 2.
Assuming that the gas inside the cylinder remains at constant temperature and that its weight is zero:
Frictionless guide

(a) Compute the initial stress in the rod (in kgf ).

(b) Compute the final pressure in the cylinder (in
kgf /cm2 ).
(c) Compute the specific weight of the liquid (relative to
the water).
(d) Determine whether the final position is a stable, unstable or neutral equilibrium.

Air
Weightless rod
Liquid

h
l

3 cm