Module 1.

Introduction to fluid mechanics

UNITS AND DIMENSIONS, PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS

1.1 Introduction

Fluid is a substance which has no definite shape and will continuously deform or flow
whenever an external force is applied to it e.g. water, milk, steam, gas, etc. It cannot
preserve its shape unless it is restricted into a particular form depending upon the
shape of its surroundings.

Fig. 1.1 Fluids classified as liquids and gases

Fluid Mechanics� is the study of fluids either in motion (fluid dynamics/kinematics)

or at rest (fluid statics). Gases and liquids (e.g. air, water) come under the category of
fluid.
One of the areas of modern fluid mechanics is Computational Fluid Mechanics which
deals with numerical solutions using computers. Fluid mechanics comprises of the
following subjects:
 Fig. 1.2 Subjects covered under fluid mechanics

1.2 Why to Study Fluid Mechanics?

Fluid mechanics is one of the basic courses in Engineering. It is a bridge course

between what you have already studied in physics and core B.Tech. courses which
you will be studying after 1st year of your degree programme. Dairy plants handle
various types of fluids such as milk, water, air, refrigerants, steam etc. It is very
important to learn the behaviour of fluid under various conditions in order to design
the system for handling of such fluids in dairy plants. Fluid mechanics is a branch of
Engineering Science, the knowledge of which is needed in the design of:
 Water supply and treatment system
 Pumps used for handling of different fluids
 Ships, submarines, aeroplanes, Automobiles
 Storage tanks (milk silo, tankers, feed tanks, balance tanks etc.)
 Piping systems for various utilities, pipefitting & valves, flow meters etc.
 Measuring instrument
 Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) systems for optimum performance
 Heat transfer behaviour in processing equipments (such as HTST pasteurizers, spray
dryers etc.)

1.3 Units and Dimensions

Solution to numerical and engineering problems becomes meaningless without units.

One of the space projects of NASA, Mars pathfinder long back in 1999 crashed
because the Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineers assumed that a measurement was in
meters, but the supplying company�s engineers had actually made the measurement
in feet (Fox et al., 2004). This incident truly represents the importance of units. A unit
of measurement is a definite magnitude of a physical quantity. The different systems
of unit are:
 1. SI system: It is the International System of Units (abbreviated SI from the
French Le Syst�me International d'Unit�s.
2. CGS system: It is a system of physical units based on centimetre as the unit of
length, gram as a unit of mass, and second as a unit of time.
3. MKS system: It is a metric system of physical units based on meter as the unit
of length, kilogram as a unit of mass, and second as a unit of time.
4. FPS system The foot-pound-second system or FPS system is a system of units
built on the three fundamental units foot for length, pound for either mass or
force and second for time.

Table 1.1 Commonly used units in CGS, MKS, FPS and SI

Dimension CGS units MKS units FPS Unit SI units

Length (L) Centimeter (cm) Meter (m) Foot (ft) meter, (m)
Mass (M) Gram (g) Kilogram (kg) Pound (lbM) kilogram (kg)
Time (T) Second (sec) Second (sec) Second (sec) Second (s)
Force (F) Dyne (Dyn) Kilogram- Pound-force Newton (N)
force(kgf) (lbF) (=kg m/s2)
Temperature
(θ)
 Absolute Rankine (R) Celsius (�C) Kelvin (K) Kelvin (K)
 Ordinary Fahrenheit Celsius (�C) Kelvin (K) Celsius (�C)
(�F)

Non-standard abbreviations:
fps = feet per second
gpm = gallons per minute
cfs or cusecs = cubic feet per second
cumecs = cubic meters per second
Note: Cusec and cumecs are non-standard abbreviations as it is widely used to
measure large water flows.

 1 British or imperial gallon = 1.2 U.S. Gallon (�0.1%)

  1 U.S. gallon = 3.78 Litres
When not specified, assume U.S. gallons
Table 1.2 Unit prefixes in SI system
Factor Prefix Symbol
109 Giga G
106 Mega M
103 kilo k
10-2 centi c
10-3 milli m
10-6 micro μ
10-9 nano n

Table 1.3 Quantities, dimensions and units

Dimensions Preferred units
Quantity
(M LT) (SI)
Length (L) L m
Time (T) T s
Mass (M) M kg
Area (A) L2 m2
Volume (Vol) L3 m3
Velocity (V) LT-1 m/s
Acceleration (a) LT-2 m/s2
Discharge (Q) L3 T-1 m3/s
Force (F) MLT-2 N
Pressure (p) ML-1T-2 Pa
Shear stress (τ) ML-1T-2 N/m2
Density (ρ) ML-3 kg/m3
Specific weight (ω) ML-2T-2 N/m3
Energy/Work/Heat ML2T-2 J
(E)
Power (P) ML2T-3 W
Dynamic viscosity ML-1T1 N s/m2 or Pa.s
(μ)
Kinematic viscosity L2 T-1 m2/s
(υ)

Some important units and conversions

 Dyne = g cm/s2
1 dyne = 10-5 N
1 pound = 0.453 kg
Pressure: 1 atm = 101.325 kPa, 1 bar = 105 Pa
1 m = 3.28 ft
1 m = 100 cm
1 feet = 30.5 cm
1 feet = 12 inch
1 inch = 2.54 cm
1 km = 0.621 miles
1 ha = 2.47 acre
1 acre = 4 046.85 m2
1 litre = 0.264 gallon
�C = (5/9) � (�F � 32)
Table 1.4 Pressure conversion table

Pressure units

Pound-force
Technical
per
Pascal Bar atmosphere Atmosphere Torr
square inch
(Pa) (bar) (at) (atm) (Torr)
(psi)

1.0197�10 9.8692�10 7.5006�10 145.04�10

1 Pa ≡ 1 N/m2 10−5
−5 −6 −3 −6

≡
1
100,000 106 dyn/cm 1.0197 0.98692 750.06 14.5037744
bar
2
 1 at 98,066.5 0.980665 ≡ 1 kgf/cm2 0.96784 735.56 14.223

1 at
101,325 1.01325 1.0332 ≡ 1 atm 760 14.696
m

1 tor �10 1.3595�10 1.3158�10 ≡ 1 Torr;

1.3332� 19.337�10
19.337
133.322
r −3 −3 −3 ≈ 1 mmHg −3

�10 70.307�10 68.046�10

6.894�1 68.948�
1 psi 51.715 ≡ 1 lbf/in2
03 −3 −3 −3

Example reading: 1 Pa = 1 N/m2 = 10−5 bar = 10.197�10−6 at =

9.8692�10−6 atm = 7.5006
7.5006�10−3 torr = 145.04�10−6 psi

1.4 Properties of Fluid

1. Mass density (𝛒):: Mass of fluid per unit of its volume is called mass density.

2. Weight Density (ω): Weight of fluid per unit of its volume is called weight density.

3. Specific Gravity:: Ratio of density of a substance to the density of pure water at

4�C is called specific gravity.
ity.

4. Specific Volume (v):: Volume of substance per unit of its mass is called specific
volume.
 Unit: m3/ kg
Dimension: M-1L3

5. Vapour Pressure

Liquid exhibits a tendency to vaporise or evaporate. This process takes place at free
surface of liquid where liquid molecules continuously escape to atmosphere. The
liquid molecules which escape from free surface of liquid are in gaseous state, exert
their own partial pressure on surface of the liquid. This pressure produced by the
molecules ejected is known as the vapour pressure. Higher the vapour pressure of free
liquid surface, higher will be the rate at which molecules will escape into the
atmosphere.
 Molecular activity increases with increase in temperature resulting in increase in
vapour pressure. Boiling occurs when vapour pressure of the free liquid surface is
equal to saturation vapour pressure.
 Saturation vapour pressure is attained when the space above the liquid is saturated
with vapours of the liquid. Equilibrium is established between the liquid
vapour interface in which rate of molecules escaping from the liquid surface is
equal to the rate at which molecules return to the liquid. For a liquid saturation
vapour pressure is the maximum attainable vapour pressure at a given temperature.
Mercury has a very low vapour pressure (1.2 μmHg at 20�C). Therefore, it is
used in barometers and thermometers for accurate results.

6. Cohesion: It is intermolecular force of attraction between similar types of

molecules.

7. Adhesion: It is the force of attraction between molecules of:

a) Two different liquids which do not mix or
b) Between liquids and solid containing liquid.
8. Compressibility:

i) Compressible fluids: The fluids which undergoes a change in volume or

density when pressure is applied.
ii) Incompressible fluids: The fluid which does not show a change in volume
or density when pressure is applied.

Compressibility is the property of the fluid due to which there will be a change in
volume when the fluid is subjected to an external pressure and is reciprocal of Bulk
Modulus of Elasticity (k).

9. Viscosity: It is property of liquid which provides resistance to flow. For example,

flowability of honey is poor as compared to milk. Honey is highly viscous. The
viscosity of honey is much higher than milk.

1.5 Classification of Fluids

Types of Fluids:

Ideal Fluid: Ideal fluid is one which has no property other than density. Such fluids
have no viscosity, no surface tension and are incompressible. When such fluid flows,
no resistance is encountered. Ideal fluid is imaginary fluid as all the fluids have some
viscosity.
Real Fluid: The fluids which have viscosity, surface tension in addition to density.
All the fluids have these properties whether large or small. The fluids can also be
classified in the following manner:
 Fig. 1.3 Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids

 Newtonion Fluids: Fluids which follow Newton�s Law of viscosity are called
Newtonian fluid.
 Non-Newtonion Fluids: Fluids which do not obey Newton�s law of viscosity
are called non-Newtonian fluids.

1.6 Newton�s Law of Viscosity

Consider a fluid contained between two parallel plates as shown in the Fig. 1.4:

Fig. 1.5 Shear force is applied on the upper plate

Plate AD is the stationary plate where as BC is the moving plate and distance between
the plates is y units. Initially BC is at rest. The area of the plate is A. Suppose a shear
force is applied to top plate at point B. By shear force we mean a force that is applied
tangentially and parallel to a surface. It can be seen in figure 1.5:

The upper plate starts moving and attains a velocity say u m/s. Now the position
changes from ABCD to AB�C�D as shown in figure 1.6.
 Fig. 1.6 Upper plate starts moving

As we know, fluid molecules are arranged in layers. When the upper plate starts
moving, the fluid layer just touching the top plate starts moving the same velocity.
Then the next layer starts moving and so on. It can be seen in Fig. 1.7.

The distribution of fluid velocity from the top plate to the bottom is known as velocity
gradient or velocity profile and is given as:

�����������
Shear stress τ = (shear force)/Area
τ is pronounced as Tau and is the symbol of shear stress.
Note: shear stress is similar to pressure but here shear force is involved
Here, shear stress
ess is proportional to velocity gradient:

Or,

Here, μ is known as coefficient of viscosity or dynamic viscosity. The SI unit

un of
dynamic viscosity is Ns/m2.
CGS units of dynamic viscosity is poise:
1 poise = 0.1 Ns/m2
1 Centi poise (CP) = 0.01 poise

Kinematic Viscosity:
 SI Units: m2/s
CGS units = Stoke

1.7 Numerical

Q.1 A plate moves at 2 m/s with a shearing force of 3.5 N/m 2. The distance
between moving plate and fixed plate is 0.08 mm. Determine viscosity of
fluid between plates.
Solution:
Velocity of plate (u) = 2 m/s

As dy is very small

= 1.4�10-2 Ns/m2
Q. 2 Two rectangular flat plates of dimensions 850 mm
mm�600
600 mm are placed such
that distance between plates is 20 mm. The space between them is filled with
oil of specific gravity 0.92. The lower plate is fixed. The upper plate moves at
4.5 m/s and requires a for
force
ce of 200 N to maintain this state. Determine
dynamic and kinematic viscosity of oil.
Solution: Velocity of plate (u) = 4.5 m/s
 Force (F) = 200 N
Area of plate (A) = 850 mm � 600 mm
Distance between plates (y) = 20 mm
Density of subs = sp. gr � density of H2O at 4�C
4
=0.92�1000
= 920 kg/m3

= 1.7429 Ns/m2

= 0.0018945 m2/s
Q. 3 A liquid has specific gravity of oil is 1.85 and kinematic viscosity of 8 stokes.
What is its dynamic viscosity?
Solution:
Kinematic viscosity = 8 stokes = 88�10-4 m2/s
Density of substance = sp. gr � density of H2O at 4�C
C
= 1.85�1000
= 1850 kg/m 3
Dynamic viscosity = kinetic viscosity
viscosity� density of subs

= 1.48 Ns/m2
Q. 4 The space between two parallel plates 5 mm apart is filled with crude oil. A
force of 2 N is required to drag the upper plate at constant velocity of 0.8
m/s. The lower plate is stationary. The area of upper plate is 0.09 m2.
Determine dynamic visco
viscosity
sity and kinematic viscosity if specific gravity of oil
is 0.9.
Solution:
Distance between two plates ((dy) = 5�10-3
Force required (F) = 2 N
Area of plate (A) = 0.09 m2
Velocity of plate (v) = 0.08 m/s

= 1.38 Ns/m2
Specific gravity (sp. gr.) = 0.9

= 1.53 x 10-3 m2/s

Q. 5 A plate has an area of 1m2, it slides down on inclined plane having angle of
inclination 45� to the horizontal with a velocity of 0.5 m/s. The thickness of
the oil filled between the plate and the plane is 1 mm. Find the viscosity of
fluid if the weight of plate is 70.72 N.
 Solution: A = 1 m2, v = 0.5 m/s, y = 1 mm = 10-3 m, F = 70.72 N

Q. 6 The distance between two parallel plates is 10 mm, the space in between is
filled with oil of viscosity 0.831 Ns/m2. A flat thin plate of dimensions 1.5 m
� 0.8 m moves through the oil, calculate the force required to drag the thin
plate at the velocity of 1.2 m/s when:
a) Plate is moving at the centre
b) The thin plate is at the distance of 3 mm from one of the plane surfaces.
Solution: v = 1.2 m/s, A = 1.5 X 0.8 m2, � = 0.831 Ns/m2
 a) Ftotal = F1 + F2

= 478.656 N
b) Ftotal = F1 + F2

= 398.88 + 170.95
= 569.83 N

Numerical Exercise

1. A liquid has a specific gravity of 1.9 and kinematic viscosity of 1 stoke. What is its
dynamic viscosity? [Ans: 0.19 Ns/m2]

2. The space between two parallel plates 5 mm apart is filled with crude oil. A force of 1 N
is required to drag the upper plate at a constant velocity of 0.8 m/s. The lower plate is
stationary. The area of the upper plate is 0.09 m2. Determine: (i) The dynamic viscosity,
and (ii) the kinematic viscosity of the oil in stokes if the specific gravity of oil is
0.9. [Ans: 0.07 Ns/m2]

3. A plate has an area of 1 m2. It slides down an inclined plane, having angle of inclination
45� to the horizontal, with a velocity of 0.5 m/s. The thickness of the oil film between
the plane and the plate is 1 mm. Find the viscosity of the fluid if the weight of the plate is
71.72 N. [Ans: 0.000077 Ns/m2]
4. A flat plate weighing 1 N has a surface area of 0.1 m2. It slides down an inclined plane at
30� to the horizontal, at a constant speed of 3 m/s. If the inclined plane is lubricated
with an oil of viscosity 0.1 N.s/m2, find the thickness of the oil film. [Ans: 0.101 m]

5. A plate moves at 2 m/s with shearing force of 3.5 N/m 2. The distance between the
moving plate and fixed plate is 1 mm. Determine the viscosity of the fluid between the
plates. [Ans: 0.060 Ns/m2]

6. Two rectangular flat plates of dimensions 850mm X 600 mm are placed such that the
distance between the parallel plates is 20 mm. The space in-between is filled with oil of
specific gravity 0.92. The lower plate is fixed. The upper plate moves at 4.5 m/s and
requires a force of 201 N to maintain this speed. Determine the dynamic and kinematic
viscosity of oil. [Ans: 0.002 Ns/m2, 2.17�10-6 m2/s]

7. Determine the dynamic viscosity of a liquid having specific gravity of 1.85 and kinematic
viscosity of 8 stokes. [Ans: 1.752 Ns/m2]

8. A flat thin plate is dragged at a constant velocity of 1.2 m/s applying a force of 20 N. The
lower plate is stationary and the area of upper plate is 0.1 m 2. Distance between the plates
is 10 mm. If the specific gravity of oil filled between the plates is 0.92, calculate the
dynamic and kinematic viscosity of oil. [Ans: 1.666 Ns/m2, 1.811 � 10-3 m2/s]

9. Two large parallel flat plates are positioned 40 mm apart. A 2.5 mm thick plate of 0.5
m2 area is being towed in lubricating oil filled between the plates with a constant force of
200 N. Calculate the towing speed of plate when it remains equidistant from the two
parallel plates. The viscosity of the oil is 0.946 N.s/m 2. [Ans: 3.9 m/s]

10. The distance between two parallel planes is 10 mm. The space in between is filled with
oil of viscosity 0.831 N.s/m2. A flat thin plate of dimensions 1.5 m � 0.8 m moves
through the oil. Calculate the force required to drag the thin plate at a velocity of 1.2 m/s
when:

a. the plate is moving at the center. [Ans: 478.65 N]

 b. The thin plate is at a distance of 3 mm from one of the plane
surfaces. [Ans: 569.82 N]

11. A steel shaft of 60 mm diameter slides smoothly through a pipe of 65 mm internal

diameter and length 120 mm. A vertical force of 250 N is required to pull the shaft back
to the original position at the same constant speed. Determine the viscosity of oil filled
between the shaft and pipe. Take velocity as 4.5 m/s. [Ans: 5.67 Ns/m2]

12. A cubical block weighing 20 kg and having a 20 cm edge is allowed to slide down an
inclined plane making an angle of 20� with the horizontal on which there is a thin film
of oil having viscosity 0.22 N.s/m2. What velocity will be attained by the block if the film
thickness is estimated to be 0.025 mm. [Ans: 0.19 m/s]

13. A flat plate weighing 350 N is sliding on a smooth inclined plate at 25� to the
horizontal. The flat plate is moving with a velocity of 1.35 m/s over the inclined surface.
The inclined plate is lubricated such that the thickness of lubricant applied between the
plane and plate is 2 mm. Determine the dynamic and kinematic viscosity of fluid if the
area of the moving plate is 0.8 m2. The density of the lubricant is 1785 kg/m3. [Ans:
0.221 Ns/m2, 1.23�10-4 m2/s]

14. In a stream of glycerin in motion, at a certain point the velocity gradient is 0.25 s -1. The
mass density of fluid is 1289 kg/m3 and kinematic viscosity is 5.2X10-3 m2/s. Calculate
the shear stress at the point. [Ans: 1.6757 N/m2]