A flat plate, 2m × 0.4m is set parallel to a uniform stream of ai...
To calculate the approximate estimated thickness of the boundary layer at the downstream end of the plate, we can use the concept of the boundary layer and the Reynolds number.
Boundary Layer:
The boundary layer is the thin layer of fluid that forms on the surface of a solid object in contact with a fluid stream. In this case, the fluid stream is the air flowing over the flat plate.
Reynolds Number:
The Reynolds number is a dimensionless quantity that characterizes the flow of a fluid over a solid object. It is defined as the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces and is given by the formula: Re = (ρ * V * L) / μ, where ρ is the density of the fluid, V is the velocity of the fluid, L is a characteristic length of the object, and μ is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid.
Calculating the Reynolds Number:
Given:
Density of air (ρ) = 1.2 kg/m^3
Viscosity of air (μ) = 16 centistokes = 0.0016 kg/m/s
Velocity of air (V) = 30 km/h = 8.33 m/s (converted from km/h to m/s)
Length of the plate (L) = 0.4 m (since the shorter edges are along the flow)
Using the formula for the Reynolds number, we can calculate:
Re = (1.2 * 8.33 * 0.4) / 0.0016
Calculating the Boundary Layer Thickness:
The boundary layer thickness can be estimated using empirical relations. One such relation is the Blasius solution for a flat plate, which gives the boundary layer thickness (δ) as approximately 5 * x / sqrt(Re_x), where x is the distance along the plate.
At the downstream end of the plate, x = 2 m (since the plate is 2 m long).
Using the Blasius solution, we can calculate the boundary layer thickness at the downstream end of the plate:
δ = (5 * 2) / sqrt(Re_2)
Substituting the value of the Reynolds number calculated earlier, we get:
δ = (5 * 2) / sqrt(Re_2) = (5 * 2) / sqrt((1.2 * 8.33 * 0.4) / 0.0016)
Simplifying the expression, we find:
δ ≈ 4.38 mm
Therefore, the approximate estimated thickness of the boundary layer at the downstream end of the plate is 4.38 mm.
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