FLUID PROPERTIES & HYDROSTATICS BENCH.

Purpose – These equipment help students to;

·         Demonstrate the properties of fluids,

·         Demonstrate fluids behavior under hydrostatic conditions (fluids at rest),

·         Understand the effects of static pressure,

·         Study the operation and application of pressure gauges and manometers,

·         Investigating the buoyancy force and stability of floating bodies, and

Develop an understanding and knowledge of a wide range of fundamental principles and techniques, before studying fluids in motion.

INSTRUCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

The provision of practical instruction exercises demonstrating the principles of fluid mechanics, in particular:

Understanding the properties of fluids:

§  determining the density, specific gravity and viscosity of different liquids

§  observing the effects of capillarity

Understanding the effects of static pressure:

§  demonstrating that the free surface of a static liquid is horizontal

§  studying the effect of flow on a free surface

§  measuring changes in liquid level

§  studying the relationship between intensity of liquid pressure and depths

§  determining the position of the centre of pressure on a plane surface

Studying the operation and application of pressure gauges and manometers:

§   using a direct reading Mercury barometer (Mercury not supplied)

§   measuring air and water pressure using manometers

§   comparing results obtained from various devices

§   calibrating a Bourdon-type pressure gauge using a deadweight pressure gauge calibrator

Investigating the buoyancy force and stability of floating bodies:

§   verifying Archimedes' principle

§   determining metacentric height

TECHNICAL DETAILS

§  Universal hydrometer: range 0.70 to 2.00 sub-divided in 0.01 intervals

§  Falling sphere viscometer: 40mm tube diameter

§  Hydrostatic pressure apparatus: comprises counterbalanced precision quadrant  pivoted on knife edges at its centre of arc

§  Direct reading barometer:  with compensated silvered metal scale range 585 to 790mm   subdivided in 1mm intervals includes thermometer.

§   100mm dial pressure gauge: range 0 to 200 kN/m2 (kPa) and equivalent head of water in meters

§  Dead weight pressure gauge calibrator: with 2 x 1/2 kg, 1kg and 21/2 kg weights

§  Lever balance: 178mm diameter pan, hook for use in buoyancy experiments, anti-parallax cursor, double scale 0 to 0.25kg and 0 to 1.00kg

§  Thermometer: range -10°C to +50°C 

ORDERING SPECIFICATION

·         A self-contained and mobile unit for demonstration of the properties of fluids and hydrostatics.

·         The equipment is mounted on a steel framed bench fitted with castors.

·         The bench top incorporates a recessed plastic sink.

·         A variety of measuring devices is incorporated in the unit including a universal hydrometer, range 0.70 to 2.00; falling sphere viscometer; hook and point gauge; hydrostatic pressure apparatus; Pascal's apparatus; double scale lever balance with displacement vessel, bucket and cylinder; metacentric height apparatus; direct reading barometer range 585 to 790mm; dial pressure gauge range 0 to 200 kN/m2 (KPa); dead weight pressure gauge calibrator with weights; thermometer range -100C to +500C.

·         These devices allow a full range of 16 experiments to be carried out, demonstrating the properties of fluids, the effects of static pressure, the operation and application of pressure gauges and manometers and the investigation of the stability of floating bodies.

·         A comprehensive manual is included describing how the experiments are performed as well as how to commission the equipment.

The following experimental apparatus is included:

Ø  universal hydrometer and hydrometer jars

Ø  falling sphere viscometers

Ø  free surface tubes

Ø  hook and point gauge

Ø  Mercury barometer

Ø  Bourdon gauge

Ø  u-tube manometers

Ø  deadweight pressure gauge calibrator and weights

Ø  hydrostatic pressure apparatus

Ø  Pascal's apparatus

Ø  parallel plate capillary apparatus

Ø  capillary tube apparatus

Ø  lever balance with displacement vessel, bucket and cylinder

Ø  metacentric height apparatus

Ø  measuring cylinder

Ø  thermometer

Ø  air pump

Ø  600ml beaker