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Lab MEEN 3240 MEEN 3240 Laboratory Exercise #5 Measurement of air viscosity #5 O

ID: 1769897 • Letter: L

Question

Lab MEEN 3240 MEEN 3240 Laboratory Exercise #5 Measurement of air viscosity #5 Obiectives To understand the fully developed flow in a smooth horizontal tube and viscosity drag that affects the flow field. To learn how to appropriately reduce the data with proper uncertainty analysis Related textbook sections: Read 3.6, 3.7, 3.8. Reference section: 6.6, 7.6. Fundamental Principles Reynolds Number: The Reynolds number is a non-dimensional quantity that is used to describe fluid flow; t is defined as the ratio between inertial forces and viscous forces acting within a fluid flow. Recall from Newton's First Law of Motion (sometimes referred to as the Law of Inertia) that moving objects remain in perpetual motion with no acceleration unless they are acted upon by an external force. Inertia is an intrinsic property that describes how much force will be required to change the motion of an object. The same principle applies for fluid flow: fluid in a state of inertia will be remain so until the fluid's particles experience particle collisions, or are acted upon by external structures, such as pipe walls, barriers, or surfaces. Fluid such as air maintains a constant velocity profile when it flows below critical Reynolds number inside the smooth horizontal tube. The fluid velocity and its kinematic viscosity determine the Reynolds number:

Explanation / Answer

The Reynolds number is a non-dimensional quantity and is defined as the ratio between inertial forces to viscous forces acting within a fluid flow. By Newton’s law, inertia is an intrinsic property that describes force required to change the motion of fluid. Kinetic viscosity is the opposing force exerted on the flow. This value determines whether a fluid flow is laminar, turbulent or transition region. Formula for Re is [ DV/], where D is the diameter, V is the average flow velocity, is the density of the flowing fluid and is the dynamic viscosity. If Re < 2100, Re > 4000 and for 2100 < Re < 4000, then the flow is named as laminar, turbulent and the transition regions resp. Since, D, are constant consequently Re is proportional to (V/ ). Thus, the fluid velocity and its kinematic viscosity determine the Reynolds number.