To Verify Bernoullis Principle

Fluid Mechanics Lab Report

By RUNGEN Ramalingum Brian

Attn: Dr B.Y.R Surnam

Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
University of Mauritius
Date of Submission: 19 April 2016

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction:................................................................................................................................1
2. Theory:.........................................................................................................................................2
3. Methodology:...............................................................................................................................4
4. Results:........................................................................................................................................5
4.1 Results for Upper Head 1:.....................................................................................................5
4.2 Results for Upper Head 2:.....................................................................................................5
4.3 Results for Lower Head 1:.....................................................................................................5
4.4 Results for Lower Head 2:.....................................................................................................6
5. Graphs:.........................................................................................................................................6
5.1 Graphs for Upper Head 1:......................................................................................................6
5.2 Graphs for Upper Head 2:......................................................................................................8
5.3 Graphs for Lower Head 1:...................................................................................................10
5.4 Graphs for Lower Head 2:...................................................................................................12
6. Discussion:.................................................................................................................................14
7. Conclusion:................................................................................................................................15
8. Recommendations:....................................................................................................................15
9. Appendix 1:................................................................................................................................16
9.1 Raw Readings:.....................................................................................................................16
11. Appendix 2:..............................................................................................................................17
Calculations:..............................................................................................................................17
Sample Calculation:...............................................................................................................17

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12. References:..............................................................................................................................19

List of Figures:
Figure 1: Incompressible Fluid flowing through a Non-Uniform Pipe...........................................2
Figure 2: Single Streamline.............................................................................................................4
Figure 3: P/W against Length of Passage base for Upper Head 1...................................................6
Figure 4: V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 1................................................7
Figure 5: (P/W + V2/2g) against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 1..................................7
Figure 6: P/W against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2.................................................8
Figure 7: V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2................................................9
Figure 8: (P/W + V2/2g) against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2..................................9
Figure 9: P/W against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 1................................................10
Figure 10: V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 1............................................11
Figure 11: (P/W + V2/2g) against the Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 1........................12
Figure 12: P/W against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2..............................................13
Figure 13: V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2............................................13
Figure 14: (P/W + V2/2g) against the Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2........................14

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List of Tables:
Table 1: Observations and Calculations for Upper Head 1.............................................................

Table 2: Observations and Calculations for Upper Head 2............................................................9

Table 3: Observations and Calculations for Lower Head 1.............................................................9
Table 4: Observations and Calculations for Lower Head 2...........................................................10
Table 5: Values obtained for Upper Head 1..................................................................................20
Table 6: Values obtained for Upper Head 2..................................................................................20
Table 7: Values obtained for Lower Head 1..................................................................................20
Table 8: Values obtained for Lower Head 2..................................................................................20
Table 9: Recorded Values for h and Time.....................................................................................21
Table 10: Recorded Values for Length of Passage Base...............................................................21

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1. Introduction:
In fluid dynamics, Bernoullis principle states that for an in viscid flow, an increase in the speed
of the fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure or a decrease in the fluid potential
energy. Bernoullis principle is named after the Dutch-Swiss mathematician; Daniel Bernoulli
who published his principle in his book, Hydrodynamics, in 1738. Bernoullis principle can be
applied to various types of fluid flow, resulting in what is loosely denoted as Bernoulli equation.
Bernoullis principle can be derived from the principle of conservation of energy. This states that,
in a steady flow, the sum of all forms of mechanical energy in a fluid along a streamline is the
same at all points on the streamline. This requires that the sum of kinetic energy and potential
energy remain constant. Thus, an increase in the speed of fluid occurs proportionately with an
increase in both its dynamic pressure and kinetic energy, and a decrease in its static pressure and
potential energy. Fluid particles are subject only to pressure and their own weight. If
a fluid is flowing horizontally and along a section of a streamline where the speed increases,
it can only be because the fluid on that section has moved from a region of higher pressure to a
region of lower pressure. And if its speed decreases, it can only be because it has moved from a
region of lower pressure to a region of higher pressure. Consequently, within a fluid moving
horizontally, the highest speed occurs when the pressure is lowest and the lowest speed occur
when the pressure is highest. Bernoullis equation holds that for fluids in an ideal state, pressure
and density are inversely related, in other words, a slow-moving fluid exerts more pressure than
a fast-moving fluid.
Therefore, the main aim of this experiment is to verify Bernoullis Principle. Moreover, this
experiment has the following objectives:

To investigate the validity of Bernoulli's Equation as applied to the flow of water in a

tube.

To determine if the total pressure head remains constant along the length of the tube as
the equation predicts.

To determine if the variations in static pressure head along the length of the tube can be predicted
with Bernoullis equation.

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2. Theory:
The Bernoulli principle states that for an ideal fluid (i.e. no viscosity) an increase in the speed of
the fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure or a decrease in potential energy.
Bernoulli equation is applicable to compressible fluid in a frictionless pipe.
Energy of a liquid in motion

Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy

Pressure Energy

The derivation of the Bernoullis equation is as follows:

Figure 1: Incompressible Fluid flowing through a Non-Uniform Pipe.

Consider a perfect incompressible liquid flowing through a non-uniform pipe as shown in the
figure above.
Let

z = elevation head of the centre of the cross section with respect to a datum z=0
P = fluid static pressure at the cross section in N/m2.
v = mean velocity of fluid flow at the cross section in m/s

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= specific weight of the liquid

g = acceleration due to gravity in m/s2 (its value is 9.81 m/s2)

mg is the weight of the body but can be expressed as the specific weight instead.
Then,
Total work done by pressure = (P1 P2)
Loss in potential energy

Gain in kinetic energy

= (z1 z2)
v22 v 21

2 g 2g

=
Performing a mechanical energy balance,
Loss of potential energy + work done by pressure = Gain in kinetic energy

(z1 z2)

(z1 z2)

z1

(P1 P2)

z2

In our experiment the tube is horizontal.

Therefore

z1 = z2

+
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The following assumptions have been made:

Flow should be steady
Density must be constant and the fluid incompressible
Friction losses are negligible
The equation relates the states at two points along a single streamline that is points 1 and 2 on the
streamline

Figure 2: Single Streamline.

3. Methodology:
1. The valve for controlling inlet and outlet water is opened to allow water flow from the
perspex tank through the piezometers.
2. The outlet valve is adjusted so that the water levels in the piezometers remain steady.
3. Once the water levels are steady, the levels in each 7 piezometers are recorded.
4. The time taken (t) for the water to attain a height (h) is recorded in the containing vessel.
5. The experiment is repeated four times for different flows of water inlet to obtain 2 upper head
set of values and 2 lower head set of values.

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4. Results:
4.1 Results for Upper Head 1:
Table 1: Observations and Calculations for Upper Head 1.
Section No.
Area of converging

1
300

2
275

3
250

4
225

5
200

6
175

7
150

tube (mm2)
Piezometer reading,

418

416

414

410

404

398

388

P/W(mm)
V (mm/s)

357.2

389.7

428.7

476.3

535.9

612.4

714.5

8
6.51
424.5

7
7.74
423.7

4
9.37
423.3

8
11.57
421.5

3
14.64
418.6

9
19.12
417.1

7
26.02
414.0

V /2g (mm)
P/W + V2/2g (mm)

4.2 Results for Upper Head 2:

Table 2: Observations and Calculations for Upper Head 2.
Section No.
Area of converging

1
300

2
275

3
250

4
225

5
200

6
175

7
150

tube (mm2)
Piezometer reading,

322

318

314

310

306

298

288

P/W(mm)
V (mm/s)

350.1

382.0

420.2

466.9

525.2

600.3

700.3

V2/2g (mm)
P/W + V2/2g (mm)

9
6.25
328.2

3
7.44
325.4

3
9.00
323.0

2
11.11
321.1

9
14.06
320.0

3
18.37
316.3

9
25.00
313.0

4.3 Results for Lower Head 1:

Table 3: Observations and Calculations for Lower Head 1.

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Section No.
Area of converging

1
300

2
275

3
250

4
225

5
200

6
175

7
150

tube (mm2)
Piezometer reading,

214

210

206

200

194

186

174

P/W(mm)
V (mm/s)
2

V /2g (mm)
P/W + V2/2g (mm)

348.0

379.6

417.6

464.0

522.0

596.6

696.0

3
6.17
220.1

7
7.35
217.3

3
8.89
214.8

3
10.98
210.9

4
13.89
207.8

2
18.14
204.1

6
24.69
198.6

4.4 Results for Lower Head 2:

Table 4: Observations and Calculations for Lower Head 2.
Section No.
Area of converging

1
300

2
275

3
250

4
225

5
200

6
175

7
150

tube (mm2)
Piezometer reading,

92

90

88

84

78

72

62

P/W(mm)
V (mm/s)

351.5

383.5

421.8

468.7

527.3

602.6

703.1

V2/2g (mm)
P/W + V2/2g (mm)

6
6.30
98.30

2
7.50
97.50

8
9.07
97.07

5
11.12
95.12

4
14.17
92.17

8
18.51
90.51

3
25.19
87.19

5. Graphs:
5.1 Graphs for Upper Head 1:
Fig.3 below shows the graph of P/W against Length of Passage base for Upper Head 1
(Experiment 1)

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430
420
410

(P/W)/mm

400
390
380
370
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 3: P/W against Length of Passage base for Upper Head 1.

Fig.4 below shows the graph of V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 1
(Experiment 1)

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30
25
20

(V2/2g)/mm

15
10
5
0
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 4: V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 1.

Fig.5 below shows the graph of (P/W + V2/2g) against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 1
(Experiment 1)
426
424
422
420
418
(P/W + V2/2g)/mm

416
414
412
410
408
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 5: (P/W + V2/2g) against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 1.

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350

5.2 Graphs for Upper Head 2:

Fig.6 below shows the graph of P/W against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2
(Experiment 2).
330
320
310

(P/W)/mm

300
290
280
270
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 6: P/W against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2.

Fig.7 below shows the graph of V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2
(Experiment 2).

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30
25
20

(V2/2g)/mm

15
10
5
0
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 7: V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2.

Fig.8 below shows the graph of (P/W + V2/2g) against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2
(Experiment 2).

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330

325

320
(P/W + V2/2g)/mm
315

310

305
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 8: (P/W + V2/2g) against Length of Passage Base for Upper Head 2.

5.3 Graphs for Lower Head 1:

Fig.9 below shows the graph of P/W against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 1
(Experiment 3).

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220
210
200
190
(P/W)/mm

180
170
160
150
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 9: P/W against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 1

Fig.10 below shows the graph of V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 1
(Experiment 3).

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30
25
20

(V2/2g)/mm

15
10
5
0
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 10: V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 1.
Fig.11 below shows the graph of (P/W + V 2/2g) against the Length of Passage Base for Lower
Head 1 (Experiment 3).
225
220
215
210
(P/W + V2/2g)/mm

205
200
195
190
185
0

50

100

150

200

250

Length of Passage Base/mm

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300

350

Figure 11: (P/W + V2/2g) against the Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 1

5.4 Graphs for Lower Head 2:

Fig.12 shows the graph of P/W against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2 (Experiment
4).
95
90
85
80
(P/W)/mm

75
70
65
60
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 12: P/W against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2.
Fig.13 shows the graph of V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2 (Experiment
4).

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30
25
20

(V2/2g)/mm

15
10
5
0
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 13: V2/2g against Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2.
Fig.14 shows the graph of (P/W + V2/2g) against the Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2
(Experiment 4).
100
98
96
94
92
(P/W + V2/2g)/mm

90
88
86
84
82
80
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Length of Passage Base/mm

Figure 14: (P/W + V2/2g) against the Length of Passage Base for Lower Head 2.
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6. Discussion:
The purpose of this experiment is to verify the validity of Bernoullis equation for fluid flow
upon the converging and diverging flow passage in the tube. Bernoulli's law indicates that, if an
inviscid fluid is flowing along a pipe of varying cross section, then the pressure is lower at
constrictions with respect to its velocity which is higher, and pressure will become higher at large
cross-sectional area and the fluid stagnates.
Overall, from the tables of results provided, it can be seen that by using Bernoullis equation, the
highest velocity is achieved at section 7. This is because the tube has a smaller diameter at this
section. Therefore this results in a low pressure and high velocity.
According to Bernoullis Principle, as the speed of the liquid increases, the pressure decreases.
This statement has been proved and can be seen in the table of results. However, from the
analysis performed, it can be seen that P/W + V 2/2g is not always constant. This can be due to
several reasons such as experimental errors and more essentially, the losses in the tube and pipes
have been neglected. It should be noted that friction losses in pipes and other minor losses can
also affect the final results. Therefore, to improve the results obtained, the losses should have
also been included.

7. Conclusion:
The main aim of this experiment was to verify the Bernoullis Principle. In other words, P/W +
V2/2g should be a constant.
From the experiment conducted, there are different sections for each tube 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Each of these sections has different cross-sectional areas. These different cross-sections resulted
in different values for pressure heads and velocity heads. By using Bernoulli equation to
calculate the velocity, it can be said that the velocity of fluid increase as the fluid is flowing from
a wider to narrower tube and the velocity decrease in the opposite direction. This also indicates
that the pressure of fluid decreases as the velocity increases. The Bernoullis principle is proven
where the highest velocity achieved at cross section 7 because of the small tube diameter. As for

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the larger diameter tube at 1, the velocity is the lowest. Therefore, it can be concluded that the
velocity is the greatest where the pressure is the lowest.
However, since P/W + V2/2g does not equal a constant from the results obtained, it can be said
that the aim of the experiment has not been achieved.

8. Recommendations:

The eyes of the observer may not be parallel to the scale and will cause parallax error. To prevent
this from happen during the experiment, the eyes of the observer must be perpendicular to the
reading scale.

The factors such as temperature, pressure and other things especially for the air bubble inside
the tubes should be eliminated first before conducting the experiment to increase accuracy
of results.

Furthermore, to obtain more accurate results, all losses should be included in calculations
performed.

9. Appendix 1:
9.1 Raw Readings:
Table 5: Values obtained for Upper Head 1.
Section
No.

Piezome
ter
Reading/
mm

418

416

414

410

404

398

388

Table 6: Values obtained for Upper Head 2.

Section
No.

Piezom

322

318

314

310

306

298

288

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eter
Readin
g
Table 7: Values obtained for Lower Head 1.
Section
No.

Piezome 214
ter
Reading/
mm

210

206

200

194

186

174

Table 8: Values obtained for Lower Head 2.

Section
No.

Piezome 92
ter
Reading/
mm

90

88

84

78

72

62

Table 9: Recorded Values for h and Time.

Experiment No.
h/mm
A x h/mm3
Time/s

1
30
2700000
25.19

2
30
2700000
25.70

3
30
2700000
25.86

4
30
2700000
25.60

Note:

h is the height of water collected in the tank

A is the area of the tank which is 300mm x 300mm = 90000mm2.

Table 10: Recorded Values for Length of Passage Base.

Piezom
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eter
No.
Length
of
Passag
e
base/m
m

50

100

150

200

11. Appendix 2:
Calculations:
Velocity, v is given by

Area of converging tube

Act

Sample Calculation:
Consider the first reading for the Upper Head 1 Experiment:
Area of tank = 900000mm2.
Height of water collected in the tank, h = 30mm.
Time, t = 25.19s
Area of converging tube at section 1, Act = 300mm2.
Therefore,
V=

Ah
/ A ct
t

( 90000 )( 30 )
(25.19 )
V=
300
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250

300

V =357 . 28 mm/ s
Therefore,
2

V
Velocity Head=
2g
Where, g is the acceleration due to gravity taken as 9810 mm/s2
Velocity Head=

(357.282)
( 2 9810 )

Velocity Head=6 .51 mm

Thus,
P V2
+ =( 418)+ ( 6.51 ) =424 . 51 mm
W 2g

12. References:

An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics - G. K. Batchelor - Google Books. [ONLINE]

Available at:
http://books.google.mu/books/about/An_introduction_to_fluid_dynamics.html?
id=Rla7OihRvUgC. [Accessed 30 March 2015].

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Fluid Dynamics | Fluid Dynamics Equations | Physics@TutorCircle.com. [ONLINE]

Available at: http://physics.tutorcircle.com/fluid-dynamics/#bernoulli's-principle.
[Accessed 30 March 2015].

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