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Fluid Properties, Fluid Mechanics

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FAQs on Fluid Properties, Fluid Mechanics

1. What is the difference between dynamic viscosity and kinematic viscosity in fluid mechanics?
Ans. Dynamic viscosity measures a fluid's absolute resistance to flow under applied shear stress, whilst kinematic viscosity equals dynamic viscosity divided by fluid density. Kinematic viscosity is more practical for studying fluid flow behaviour in pipes and channels. Both properties are temperature-dependent and critical for calculating Reynolds number and predicting turbulent or laminar flow regimes.
2. Why does surface tension matter in real-world applications like water droplets and capillary action?
Ans. Surface tension creates an invisible elastic membrane at fluid interfaces, enabling water droplets to form spheres and allowing insects to walk on water surfaces. This molecular property arises from unbalanced intermolecular forces at boundaries. In engineering, surface tension affects capillary rise in tubes, wetting behaviour on surfaces, and fluid transport in porous materials-essential for designing pumps, filters, and microfluidic systems.
3. How do I calculate density and specific gravity to compare different fluids?
Ans. Density equals mass divided by volume (ρ = m/V), measured in kg/m³. Specific gravity is the ratio of a fluid's density to water's density at 4°C (approximately 1000 kg/m³). This dimensionless ratio simplifies fluid comparisons: oil with specific gravity 0.8 is lighter than water. These parameters directly influence buoyancy calculations, pressure distribution, and fluid classification in hydraulic systems.
4. What causes compressibility in gases versus liquids, and why should I care?
Ans. Gases are highly compressible because molecules move freely with large spaces between them; liquids resist compression due to closely-packed molecules with strong intermolecular forces. Compressibility matters because it affects pressure changes, flow behaviour, and energy requirements in pumps and compressors. In high-pressure applications, even "incompressible" liquids show measurable compression, influencing hydraulic system design and shock wave propagation through fluids.
5. How does temperature change affect fluid properties like viscosity and density for my exam problems?
Ans. Temperature inversely affects viscosity: as temperature increases, molecular motion increases, reducing viscosity in liquids but increasing it in gases. Density decreases slightly with rising temperature due to thermal expansion. These relationships are essential for solving CBSE mechanical engineering problems involving heat transfer, pipeline design, and lubrication systems. Refer to mind maps and flashcards on EduRev to visualise these property variations across temperature ranges.
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