Summary

The purpose of this lab was to observe the impact of a jet fluid on three targets of
different shapes. These shapes consisted of a flat target at 90°, a dome target at 120°, and a half
sphered target at 180°.
From the impact of the jet fluid on each of the targets, the fluid force was calculated. The
fluid force was found by recording the flow rate and time impacting each of the targets at
different weights of 20g, 40g, and 60g and measuring the amount of time it took to fill 6L of
water. The fluid force was calculated using the conservation of linear momentum equations and
found to have a large percentage error from the experimental value, varying from ~17% to
~90%, with one case where the error was 200%.
In summary, it was found that velocity and mass flow rate of the jet increased as more
weight was added. As well as the varying effects of different target shapes has on the impact
force, mass flow rate and velocity of a jet.

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1. Introduction
The objective of this experiment was to study the impact of a water jet on a variety of target
shapes. The theoretical predictions based on the conservation of linear momentum were
compared to the measured forces on the targets [1].

A jet can be defined as any fluid emerging from an aperture. The aperture can be anything such
as a nozzle, an open pipe, or others with similar geometry. The moment of jet flow can vary,
ranging from very slow to very high (which can be turned into other forms of energy) [1].

Figure 1:​ Experimental apparatus to measure the impact of water jets [1]

The jet impact apparatus for this lab is shown in Figure 1. It is prefered to relate the jet
momentum change caused by the impact on the target with the required force to cause this
change [1]. Below are the basic equations relating momentum change to the external force. This
vector moment equation can be decomposed into the horizontal and vertical components [1]:

ΣF x = Σi (ṁV x,i ) out − Σi (ṁV x,i ) in (1)

ΣF y = Σi (ṁV y,i ) out − Σi (ṁV y,i ) in (2)

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Figure 3 below shows a drawing of a control volume around the impact target. With this, the
force exerted on the target can be determined if the the mass flow rate and jet velocity are
known. With the assumption that the viscous friction of the target on the fluid is small, the
velocity vector (V) will remain unchanged when the flow is redirected [1].

Figure 2:​ Net applied force on a target redirecting a flow [1].

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2. Apparatus
This experiment consisted of the following apparatus:
● Weights
● Weight pan
● Spring
● Level Gauge
● Spirit Level
● Water jet with nozzle
● Target (90​o​, 120​o​, 180​o​)
● Adjustable Feet
● Drain Holes
● Container to measure volume of water
● Ramp to prevent splashing

3. Procedure
1. The top plate and transparent casing was removed. The flat target (90​o​) was placed on the
rod attached to the weight pan. The nozzle inside diameter was recorded (8.0 mm).
2. The apparatus was reassembled and the inlet pipe was connected to the water supply. The
base of the apparatus was leveled with the top plate loosely assembled. The top plate was
screwed down to the datum on the spirit level.
3. The level gauge was adjusted to suit the datum on the weight pan. A note was made on
the approximate vertical distance between the exit of the nozzle and the jet impact point
on the target.
4. 20 grams was placed on the weight pan. The water was allowed to flow by operating the
control valve. The flow was adjusted until the weight pan was aligned with the level
gauge.
5. A reading of the water flow rate (volume/time) was taken and the mass on the weight pan
was noted.
6. This was repeated with 40 grams and 60 grams on the weight pan.
7. The above procedure was repeated with the 120​o​ and 180​o​ targets.

Figure 3: ​Cross sections of the three impact targets [1].

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4. Observations and Results
To derive the equations of momentum, equations 1 and 2 were used:

ΣF x = Σi (ṁV x,i ) out − Σi (ṁV x,i ) in

ΣF y = Σi (ṁV y,i ) out − Σi (ṁV y,i ) in
When the angle of the flow was measured with respect to the y-axis, the x-direction equation of
motion turned into:
ΣF x = ṁV sin(θout ) − ṁV sin(θin )
The above equation used the assumption that the flow velocity out was equal to the flow velocity
in. The angles were defined differently, as the flow in did not have the same angle w.r.t. the
y-axis as the angle for the flow out. The y-direction equation of motion also was simplified to:

ΣF y = ṁV cos(θout ) − ṁV cos(θin )
The scalar force equation was found through the following relation:
F = √ΣF x
2
+ ΣF y 2
When the equations were substituted:
F = √[ṁV sin(θ out ) − ṁV sin(θin )]2 + [ṁV cos(θout ) − ṁV cos(θin )]2
Since θin = 0 degrees for all of the tests, the following equation was found:
F = ṁV √2 − 2cos(θout )
The following relations were used to place the above equation in terms of Q, ρ, and A:
ṁ=Q*ρ
V = QA
When the relations were substituted:
Q2 ρ
F = A √2 − 2cos(θout )
For a redirection angle of 90 degrees, the following equation was found:
Q2 ρ o
F = A √2 − 2cos(90 )
2
Q ρ
F = A
For a redirection angle of 120 degrees, the following equation was found:
Q2 ρ o
F = A √2 − 2cos(120 )
2
1.5Q ρ
F = A
For a redirection angle of 180 degrees, the following equation was found:
Q2 ρ o
F = A √2 − 2cos(180 )
2
2Q ρ
F = A

Table 1:​ Flow rate and jet impact force values found through calculation.

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Redirection 90 120 180
Angle (degrees)

Weight (kg) 0.020 0.040 0.060 0.020 0.040 0.060 0.020 0.040 0.060

Flow Rate 1.077* 1.555* 1.868* 1.442* 1.572* 1.592*10​-4 9.091* 1.298* 1.509*10​-4
(m​3​/s) 10​-4 10​-4 10​-4 10​-4 10​-4 10​-5 10​-4

Experimental 0.1962 0.3924 0.5886 0.1962 0.3924 0.5886 0.1962 0.3924 0.5886
Force (N)

Predicted Force 0.2308 0.4810 0.6942 0.6205 0.7374 0.7563 0.3288 0.6704 0.9060
(N)

% Error 17.6 22.6 17.9 216.2 87.9 28.5 67.6 70.8 53.9

A sample calculation for finding the predicted impact force was shown below. The values used
were for an angle of 90​o​ and a weight of 0.020 kg.
Q2 ρ
F = A
2
(0.0001077 m3 /s) (1000 kg/m3 )
F = [ π4 (0.008 m)2 ]
F = 0.2308 N
The same calculation was repeated for all mass values for 90​o​, and the two other equations were
used for all mass values of 120​o​ and 180​o​.

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5. Discussion
Water is an incompressible fluid, and its velocity can be determined from its flow rate and the
cross-sectional area of the tube it is flowing through. In this experiment, the velocity of the water
was calculated using the area at the nozzle tip and the rate at which the water could fill a certain
volume. The water jet travels upwards very briefly after exiting the nozzle and before hitting the
impact target. The target is approximately 3 cm above the nozzle tip, so the force of gravity on
the water is approximately equal to
2
F = mwater * g = ρ * V * g = 1 kg/L * ( π0.008
4
) * 0.03 m * 9.81 N /kg = 0.000015 N
When compared with the force of the water, the effect of gravity is negligible.

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6. Conclusions

In this lab, the impact of jets on a variety of target shapes and angles ranging 90°to 180° was
observed. For each of the target shapes, it was evident that as more weight was added, the mass
flow rate and the velocity of the jet increased to counteract the force of the jet flow.

The target shapes and angles had an impact on how the water was redirected. The maximum
flow rate was linked to the flat target shape at 90° at a weight of 60g and were measured at
1.868*10​-4 ​m​3​/s.
In contrast the minimum flow rate corresponded with the half sphere shape at 180° with a weight
of 20g attached and provided a value of 9.091*10​-5 ​m​3​/s.

However, the values calculated had slight deviations from the accepted values, it is due to
potential sources of error including:
● Uneven positioning of jet apparatus
● Worn out equipment
● Varying water temperature
● Reading, measurement, and timing errors

In conclusion the experiment was conducted successfully in spite of having minor percentage
errors, overall the objective of the experiment was fulfilled and the concepts behind the impacts
of jets on varying shapes were observed. To improve, more advanced equipment could be used
to minimize measurement errors from occurring. Also, more trials could have been done in the
experiment to gather more data to achieve more accurate results.

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7. References

[1] Naylor, D., Friedman, J. ​Laboratory Manual for MEC 516. Toronto: Ryerson University,
2018.

[2]