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Fluid Dynamics

The study of the motion of fluids (liquids and gases) and the forces causing this motion, Fluid Dynamics has several subdisciplines, including hydrodynamics and aerodynamics. To ask and answer questions about Fluid dynamics and its subdisciplines, come on in to the Fluid Dynamics category.

621 Questions

How did the drinking bird from the 1960s work to continue to bob its head into a glass of water?

The classic bobbing or drinking bird toy has amused kids and adults for years. It appears to be perpetual motion (impossible) but is actually a heat engine with a lot of thermodynamics going on. Although the bird is often thought to be a recent invention it was invented in 1945 and patented in 1946. The "toy" was the brainchild of to PHD candidates, Miles V. Sullivan and George H. Shackley. The science is so complex that it has been the basis of several thermodynamics courses.

The classic bird is made from two glass bulbs joined by a glass tube. The tube extends almost to the bottom of the bottom bulb. It is joined to the top bulb but only at the end. The bulb contains some fluid which evaporates and condenses easily at about room temperature. The bird so far is similar in construction to the "love meters" which move fluids from one bulb to the other based on the heat of your hand.

The other parts of the bird are a bird beak or head made of absorbent material, a pivot which lets the bird balance on a stand, and a glass of water for the bird to dip its beak into. The actual operation of the bird is the result of several gas laws, evaporative cooling and, pressure changed due to heat, leverage and showmanship!

What happens is:

  • The birds felt (or similar) head is dampened with water and positioned in front of a glass of water located so that the beak will swing down into the water if it moves forward about the pivot.
  • The water on the felt evaporates cooling the head, creating a vacuum in the gases (through condensation of the gas there) and subsequently sucking up fluid from the bottom bulb
  • This makes the head heavier and it swings down dipping the nose into the water.
  • The water absorbs into the beak fabric, warming the fabric and the bulb, which in turn warms the gases in the head.
  • The warmed gases expand increasing the top bulb pressure and expelling the fluid back into the bottom bulb
  • The head (now lighter as the fluid is gone) raises, the water starts to evaporate cooling the head and restarting the cycle

How do you calculate the flue gas velocity in airpreheater?

To calculate the flue gas velocity in an air preheater, you would need to know the volumetric flow rate of the flue gas passing through the preheater and the cross-sectional area of the preheater. You can then use the formula: Velocity = Volumetric flow rate / Cross-sectional area of preheater. This calculation will give you the velocity at which the flue gas is moving through the air preheater.

Which will dissolve faster rock salt or iodized salt?

Iodized salt will dissolve faster in water than rock salt. This is because iodized salt has smaller particle size compared to rock salt, allowing it to dissolve more quickly due to the increased surface area exposed to the solvent.

What factors affect surface air temperature?

Factors that affect surface air temperature include solar radiation, cloud cover, altitude, latitude, ocean currents, and land cover. These factors can influence how much sunlight is absorbed or reflected, the distribution of heat across different regions, and the movement of air masses.

Is heating liquid honey a change of state?

No. Simply heating honey, while making it less viscus, does not change its state. It remains a liquid. Unless heating is prolonged enough to cause evaporation, the honey will remain a liquid, so no change of state occurs by simply heating.

Why after 24 hours helium balloon won't fly what is happening with the helium?

Helium atoms are very small and able to diffuse through the balloon material over time, leading to a loss of buoyancy. As a result, the balloon becomes deflated and unable to lift the weight of the rubber and any attachments.

Sports where friction is either supporting or opposing these games?

Skiing and snowboarding (Skis rubbing against snow slows them down)

Skateboarding (Rolling friction, it's a matter of opinion if it supports or opposes them)

Swimming (fluid friction makes it harder for them to swim against it)

Those are just a few.

What is energy content of compressed air?

The energy content of compressed air is typically measured in terms of energy density, which is lower compared to other energy storage technologies such as batteries or gasoline. The energy content of compressed air is dependent on the pressure at which it is stored and the volume of the storage vessel. Compressed air is often used as a form of energy storage in applications where high power output and short duration energy release are required.

How would this affect the amount of weight it could carry?

Increasing the size of the vehicle and its structural integrity can increase the amount of weight it can carry, while adding weight to the vehicle itself can limit the amount it can carry. Additionally, factors like the suspension system, tires, and engine power also play a role in determining the maximum weight capacity of a vehicle.

Explain the addition of vector by head to tail rule?

When adding vectors using the head-to-tail method, you place the head of the second vector at the tail of the first vector. The resultant vector is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the second vector. This technique preserves both magnitude and direction of the vectors being added.

Is flying a kite a density application?

Yes, flying a kite is a density application because it involves utilizing the density difference between the air inside the kite and the surrounding air to generate lift. By harnessing this density differential, the kite is able to fly in the air.

What is the fastest evaporating lighter fluid?

Naphtha-based lighter fluids tend to evaporate faster than others due to their low boiling point and high volatility. Look for products specifically labeled as "naphtha" for a quicker evaporation rate.

Why velocity increases as you increase the area in kitchen taps during opening the tap?

Increasing the area of the tap opening allows more water to flow through, which results in an increase in the velocity of the water exiting the tap. This is due to the principle of conservation of mass, where the same volume of water must pass through the larger opening in a shorter time, leading to an increase in velocity.

Under what circumstances a fluid exerts equal pressure in all direction?

A fluid will exert equal pressure in all directions when it is in a state of equilibrium, meaning there are no external forces acting on it to cause it to flow or change shape. This is described by Pascal's principle, which states that any change in pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted undiminished in all directions.

How thick would acrylic have to be to withstand an internal force of approximately 1200 psi?

To withstand an internal force of 1200 psi, the acrylic would need to be at least 1 inch thick. Acrylic typically has a tensile strength of around 10,000 psi, so a 1-inch thickness would comfortably handle the 1200 psi force.

Difference between major and minor losses in pipes?

The major losses within a pipe are those that occur through out the lenght of the pipe, they are caused by the interaction of the water particles and the inner surface of the pipe as water flows through it. Now minor losses are those that occur due to fitting and connections in a pipe sytem, such as 90 degree bends or turns, or valves, etc. These cause minor losses. Major losses are more significant than minor losses.

How does the speed of a car affect the loudness of the sound it produces?

As a car speeds up, the engine works harder to propel the vehicle, generating more exhaust and engine noise. This can result in the sound of the car becoming louder as the speed increases. Additionally, air turbulence around the moving vehicle can also contribute to increased noise levels.

How is energy transferred between the oceans and the atmosphere?

Energy is transferred between the oceans and the atmosphere through processes like evaporation and condensation. The sun heats the ocean surface, causing water to evaporate and release latent heat into the atmosphere. This latent heat is later released when water vapor condenses to form clouds, leading to the transfer of energy between the two systems.

Can a machine interconvert mechanical energy to hydralic energy?

Yes, a machine can convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy (i.e., pump water up), and a machine can convert the hydraulic energy into mechanical energy. Some energy will be wasted in both cases, meaning that if you try to do this "back and forth" several times, the total energy available will decrease.

How do you use a sodastream?

To use a SodaStream, first fill the carbonating bottle with cold water up to the fill line. Attach the bottle to the SodaStream machine and press the carbonation button a few times to carbonate the water to your liking. Add your chosen flavor syrup if desired, gently mix, and enjoy your homemade soda.

What properties of metals can be observed just by looking at them?

Some properties of metals that can be observed just by looking at them include their luster or shininess, malleability or ability to be hammered into thin sheets, ductility or ability to be drawn into wires, and conductivity of heat and electricity. Metals also tend to have a solid, opaque appearance with a metallic color.

What would happen if a spherical volume of air instantaneously disappeared?

It depends on the size of the disappearing sphere. If a small sphere disappeared then air from adjoining space would move in and balance would soon be be restored. However, if a large sphere disappeared then the adjustment could involve extreme turbulence.

Suppose astronauts made a soap film in the space shuttle Would you except an orderly set of colored lines?

In microgravity, the soap film would form a more spherical shape rather than a flat surface due to surface tension. The colored lines may not be orderly as gravity is not present to influence the distribution of color particles.

The buoyant force on an object depends on its?

The ability of an object to float on a fluid is influenced by the object's buoyancy, which in turn depends upon at least three things: (1) the density of the object relative to the fluid; (2) the object's shape; and (3) the orientation of the object with respect to the surface of the fluid.

  • An object that is less dense than the fluid (wood on water) will always float, regardless of its shape or orentation, and is thus always buoyant.
  • An object that is more dense than the fluid (steel on water) will float only while the object's shape and orientation allow the object to displace more water than the object weighs. A steel boat floating upright on water is an example of a buoyant denser object.
  • An object that is more dense than the fluid will sink if its shape and orientation do not make it buoyant, or if it is already fully immersed below the fluid line. A capsized steel boat will sink, for example, because its orientation with respect to the waterline no longer allows the boat to displace enough water to keep it buoyant.