Coefficient of contraction is the ratio ofa)actual velocity of jet at ...
Coefficient of Contraction in Fluid Mechanics
Coefficient of contraction is an important term in fluid mechanics which is used to determine the actual area of the jet at the vena contracta in comparison with the area of the orifice. This coefficient is denoted by the symbol ‘C’. It is a dimensionless quantity which is the ratio of the area of the jet at the vena contracta to the area of the orifice.
Formula:
Coefficient of Contraction = Area of Jet at Vena Contracta / Area of Orifice
C = Aj / Ao
Where,
Aj = Area of Jet at Vena Contracta
Ao = Area of Orifice
Explanation:
When a fluid flows through an orifice, the velocity of the fluid increases and the pressure decreases. The area of the jet at the vena contracta is the minimum area of the jet where the velocity of the fluid is the maximum and the pressure is the minimum. The actual area of the jet at the vena contracta is always less than the area of the orifice due to the contraction of the jet.
The coefficient of contraction is used to determine the actual area of the jet at the vena contracta in comparison with the area of the orifice. It depends on the shape of the orifice, the nature of the fluid, and the Reynolds number.
The coefficient of contraction is always less than unity as the actual area of the jet at the vena contracta is always less than the area of the orifice. The value of the coefficient of contraction for a sharp-edged orifice is around 0.62, while for a well-rounded orifice, it is around 0.97.
Importance:
The coefficient of contraction is an important term in fluid mechanics as it helps in determining the actual discharge through an orifice. The actual discharge is always less than the theoretical discharge due to the contraction of the jet. The coefficient of contraction is also used to determine the coefficient of discharge, which is the ratio of the actual discharge to the theoretical discharge.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the coefficient of contraction is an important term in fluid mechanics, which helps in determining the actual area of the jet at the vena contracta in comparison with the area of the orifice. It is a dimensionless quantity which is always less than unity. The value of the coefficient of contraction depends on the shape of the orifice, the nature of the fluid, and the Reynolds number.
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