TITLE : APPLICATION OF BERNOULLIS EQUATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem statement and ways &
means are guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left
to the students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity is hope to
slowly introduced and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them
for a much harder task of open-ended laboratory activities.
In this laboratory activity the students are required to carry out tests to verify application of
Bernoullis equation
1.2 OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the pressure head and velocity head at each point in the horizontal pipe.
2. To determine the accuracy of Bernoullis Theorem for fluid flow in a horizontal tapered
pipe using Bernoullis equation.
1.3 LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:
1. Identify the right equipment to carry out the appropriate Bernoullis equation tests
2. Analyse test data and present the solution in proper technical format.
3. Work in a group to undertake the task and produce the relevant technical report.
1.4 THEORITICAL BACKGROUND
Bernoullis theorem states that the total energy for each particle of a body of fluid is the same
provided that no energy enters or leaves the system at any point. The three terms of
Bernoullis equation are the pressure energy per unit weight, the kinetic per unit weight and
the potential energy per unit weight. The division of energy between potential, pressure and
kinetic energy may vary but the total energy; H remains constant for steady flow of a
frictionless fluid along a streamline. Each of the terms has the dimension of length (head).
The pressure term,

P
g , is named as pressure head and represents the height of a column

of the fluid that is needed to produce the pressure P. The velocity head,

V2
2g

, represents

the vertical distance needed for the fluid to fall freely by neglecting friction if it is to reach

velocity v for rest. The elevation term, z is related to the potential energy of the particle and is
named as elevation head.
2.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Determination of the Bernoullis equation is significant for application in

engineering

practice to design pipes to undertake pressure and velocity head occurred. You are required to
carry out experiment to measure the pressure head and velocity head using the appropriate
apparatus available in the laboratory.
3.1 APPARATUS
Bernoullis theorem demonstration apparatus, volumetric cylinder, bucket and stopwatch.

3.2 PROCEDURES
1. The diameter of the horizontal pipe at each point and its distance from the first tube that is
connected to the manometer tube were recorded.
2. Level the apparatus using adjustable screws.
3. The apparatus with the bench having 14o tapered section converging connected in the
direction of flow.
4. Prime the apparatus with water. Remove all entrapped air from the system. Make sure all
connecting pipes are free of air.
5. The inflow valves and outflow valves were adjusted carefully to get such a combination of
flow rate and system pressure that gives maximum convenient difference between the highest
and lowest manometer levels.
6. The scale reading of each manometer level was recorded.
7. 3 sets of readings for volume and time to find the flow rate through the system was taken.
8. Steps 5-7 repeated by adjusting valve openings to give high and low flow rates at both high
and low static pressure.
9. Steps 5-8 repeated for 4 times.

3.3 DATA ACQUISITION

Test 1
No

Tube
diameter

Tube cross
sectional
area

(mm)
(

mm

Distance
from

Manomete
r
level, h

1st
tube
(m)

Velocity
head
theory,

Total
head,
h+

v 2 /2 g

V
2g

(m)
(3)

(1)

(m)
-4

0.283
0.283

25.0

490.87

282

7.59x10

13.9

151.75

0.060

275

7.97x10-3

11.8

109.35

0.069

10.7

89.92

0.073

Volume

Time,

Flow

rate

m3

269
263

(s)

1.53x10-2

0.284

2.27x10-2(

0.286

m /s 0.269

10.0

78.54

0.081

247

2.27x10-2

26.0

530.93

0.142

260

7.59x10-4

Tube
diameter

Tube cross
sectional
area

(mm)
(

mm

6x10-5

0.0003

Manomete
r
level, h

Velocity
head theory,

Test 2
No

Distance
from

1st

Average

tube
(m)

6x10-5
v 2 /2 g
(m)
(3)

(1)

0.269

Total
head,
h+

V2
2g
(m)

25.0

490.87

289

9.78x10-4

0.290

13.9

151.75

0.060

277

1.02x10-3

0.287

11.8

109.35

0.069

10.7

89.92

0.073

Volume

Time,

m3

269
260

(s)

Flow

1.97x10-2

0.289

2.91x10(-2

0.289

rate
3

m /s 0.286

10.0

78.54

0.081

248

3.82x10-2

26.0

530.93

0.142

256

9.78x10-4

340

6.8x10-5

Average

6.8x10-5

0.257

Test 3
No

Tube
diameter

Tube cross
sectional
area

Distance
from

1st

(mm)
(

mm

Manomete
r
level, h

tube
(m)

Velocity
head
theory,

Total
head,
h+

v 2 /2 g

V
2g

(m)
(3)

(1)

(m)

25.0

490.87

297

1.42x10-3

0.298

13.9

151.75

0.060

282

1.49x10-2

0.296

11.8

109.35

0.069

10.7

89.92

0.073

Volume

Time,

m3

270
255

(s)

Flow

2.87x10-2

0.299

4.24x10(-2

0.297

rate
3

m /s 0.280

10.0

78.54

0.081

225

5.56x10-2

26.0

530.93

0.142

252

142x10-3

CALCULATION
3

To find flow rate (m /s) for test 1

Q=

V
t

Q=

0.0003
5

Q=6 105 m 3 / s
Then find the velocity no 1
Q= AV

V=

Q
A

d2
A=
4

40

8.2x1--5

Average

8.2x1--5

0.253

 ( 0 .0252 )
A=
4
A=4.9087 104 m2
6 105
V=
4.9087 104
V =0.1222 m/s

Then find the velocity head theory, v2/2g

2

V head=

v
2g

V head=

(0.1222)
2 9.81

V head=7.59 104 m
2

v
Finally calculate total head ( h+ 2 g
Total head =h+

v2
2g

Total head =0.282+(7.59 104)

Total head =0.283 m
Then find the velocity no 2
Q= AV
2

A=

d
4

A=

( 0 .01392 )
4

A=1.5175 104 m2

V=

6 105
1.5175 104

V =0.3954 m/s

Then find the velocity head theory, v2/2g

V head=

v2
2g

(0.3954)2
V head=
2 9.81
V head=7.97 103 m
2

v
Finally calculate total head ( h+ 2 g
Total head =h+

v2
2g

Total head =0.275+(7.97 103)

Total head =0.283 m
Then find the velocity no 3
Q= AV

d
A=
4

( 0 .01182 )
A=
4
A=1.0936 104 m2
6 105
V=
1.0936 104
V =0.5486 m/ s

Then find the velocity head theory, v2/2g

V head=

v
2g

V head=

(0.5486)
2 9.81

V head=1.53 102 m
v2
Finally calculate total head ( h+ 2 g
Total head =h+

v2
2g
2

Total head=0.269+(1.53 10 )
Total head =0.284 m

Then find the velocity no 4

Q= AV

A=

d2
4

A=

( 0 .01072 )
4

A=8.99210 m
V=

6 105
8.992 105

V =0.6673 m/s

Then find the velocity head theory, v2/2g

v2
V head=
2g
(0.6673)2
V head=
2 9.81
V head=2.27 102 m
v2
h+
Finally calculate total head (
2g
v2
Total head =h+
2g
Total head =0.263+(2.27 102)
Total head =0.286 m

Then find the velocity no 5

Q= AV
2

A=

d
4

A=

( 0 .01002 )
4

A=7.854 105 m2
V=

6 105
7.854 105

V =0.7639 m/s

Then find the velocity head theory, v2/2g

2

V head=

v
2g

V head=

(0.7639)
2 9.81

V head=2.98 102 m
v2
h+
Finally calculate total head (
2g
Total head =h+

v2
2g

Total head =0.247+( 2.98 102)

Total head =0.277 m

Then find the velocity no 5

Q= AV
d2
A=
4
( 0 .0262 )
A=
4
A=5.31 104 m2
V=

6 105
5.31 104

V =0.113 m/s

Then find the velocity head theory, v2/2g

v2
V head=
2g
2

(0.113)
V head=
2 9.81

V head=6.51104 m
2

v
Finally calculate total head ( h+ 2 g
v2
Total head =h+
2g
Total head =0.260+(6.51 104 )
Total head =0.261m

4.1 DISCUSSION
We had demonstrated the Bernoullis Theorem and from the result we had calculated
that when the diameter of the cross section smaller, there were increasing in velocities along
the distribution tube. The smallest cross section (which is cross section C) gave huge pressure
difference and had the highest velocities. The results had shown that larger pressure
difference gave out the most speed of fluid flow. Furthermore through the experiment, we had
observed as fluid flow through the venturi meter, the head is higher at the narrower tube and
vice versa. The narrower tube leads to high velocities and low pressure
The volumetric flow rates are calculated for each trial. The speed of water was
controlled by using valve and times taken are recorded as the volumetric tank reached 3L.
Every trial had different volumetric flow rate as to manipulate the result of the velocities and
the calculated volumetric flow rates were substituted into the continuity equation to
determine the velocities. From the calculation, the highest volumetric flow rates gave the
highest velocities.
One of the error is parallax error. This error when to take the reading water level in
the cylinder tube. Thus, to overcome this error, the eyes of the observer must be 90 to the
water level. Next error is when we take the stopwatch reading, we not stop at the accurate
time. To overcome this error, we must take precaution to get the accurate reading of
stopwatch.
4.2 CONCLUSION
As Bernoulli state high velocity of fluid flow result in low pressure and based on
continuity equation, smaller area result in high velocity. Thus, the result proved both
equations could be used to determine the velocity of fluid flow in manometer. Even the value
is not exactly the same, but the pattern of increasing and decreasing at the converging and
diverging portion is same. So that, as the velocity increases, the total head pressure also
increases for both convergent and divergent flow.
In order to obtain accurate results, there are a few recommendations and precautions
that should be taken during undergo the experiment. Firstly, the equipment must be drained
before starting and after the experiment, to prevent the equipment damaged. Next, make sure
there is no air bubbles trapped before and during running the experiment. The air bubbles will

affect the result of the experiment. Other than that, the experiment should be run after we
have fully understands the unit and the procedures to avoid some simple mistakes. In
addition, to get the accurate results, the eye level must be perpendicular to the reading when
recording the data to avoid parallax error, by the reading at the right meniscus. Besides that,
the control valve should be maintained at a constant flow so that each at every readings of
each manometer has the same value of pressure. Furthermore, when taking the time taken
using the stopwatch, the suction pipe has to be started simultaneously to get the accurate
volumetric flow rate. Next, the experiment should be repeated for a few times so that an
average value could be obtained. Lastly, the leakage of water in the instrument must be
avoided to reduce the error during conducting the experiment
APPENDIX
5
1

8
3
4

Figure 1: Parts Identification Diagram

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Manometer
Water inlet
Test Section
Unions
Air Bleed Screw
Discharge Valve
Hypodermic Probe
Adjustable Feet

REFERENCE
1) http://www.princeton.edu/~asmits/Bicycle_web/Bernoulli.html
2) http://www.slideshare.net/habibgkp/bernoullis-theorem