Horizontal Motion

When a fluid mass flows horizontally down a straight line with constant acceleration, the
liquid surface forms an angle with the horizontal, as seen in the figure below.

Fluid mass in horizontal accelerated

For any value of a, the angle θ can determine by considering a fluid particle of mass m
on the surface. The weight W = mg, inertia force or reverse effective force REF = ma,
and the normal force N, which is the perpendicular reaction at the surface, are the
forces acting on the particle. With their force polygons shown below, these three forces
are in equilibrium.

From the force triangle,

REF
tanθ=
W

ma
tanθ=
mg

a
tanθ=
g
Therefore, the surface and all planes of equal hydrostatic pressure must be inclined at
this angle θ with the horizontal.

Inclined Motion

Consider a fluid mass that is being accelerated up an inclination from horizontal. The
horizontal and vertical components of inertia force REF would be x=ma h and y=mav,
respectively.

From the force triangle shown above:

Ma H
tan θ=
Mg+ Ma v

aH
tan θ=
g +a v

aH
tanθ=
g±ay

Use (+) sign upward motion and (-) sign for downward motion.

Vertical Motion

Consider the mass of fluid shown in the figure accelerated upwards with an
acceleration of a. The weight of the liquid above the
point, yV , the inertia force, Ma, and the pressure force
F= pA are the forces operating at a point h below the
liquid surface, then,
∑ F v =0
F=W + REF

pA=γV + ma

γ
pA=γV + Va
g

γ
pA=γ ( Ah ) + ( Ah ) a
g

γ
p=γh+ ha
g

( ag )
p=γh 1+

( )
p=γh 1±
a
g

Use (+) for upward motion and (-) for downward motion.

Note: a is positive for acceleration and negative for deceleration.

1. A cylindrical water tank used in lifting water to the top of the tower is 1.5m
high. If the pressure at the bottom of the tank is must not exceed 16 KPa,
what maximum vertical acceleration can be imposed in the cylinder when it is
filled with water.

SOLUTION
a
P=γħ(1+ )
g

a
16=9.81(1.5)(1+ )
9.81

a=0.857 m/s 2

2. An open tank 1.82 m2 weighs 3,425 N and contains 0.91m of water. It is acted
by an unbalanced force of 10 400 N parallel to a pair of sides. What is the
force acting in the side with the smallest depth in Kn.

Figure 4.1.2

SOLUTION
P=γħA
Solve for a and y:
F=ma

3425
10400= [1000 ( 1.82 ) ( 1.82 )( 0.91 ) ] + ¿a
9.81

a=3.092 m/s2

a y
tanƟ= =
g 0.91
 3.092 y
=
9.81 0.91

y=0.29 m<0.91 m(OK )

h=0.91− y

h=0.62 m

0.62
P=98100( )(0.62 x 1.82)
2
P=3432 N
P=3.432 kN

3. An open tank containing oil with a specific gravity of 0.8 is accelerated vertically at 9
m/s2. Determine the pressure 3 meters below the surface if the motion is (a) upward
with a positive acceleration, (b) upward with a negative acceleration, (c) downward with
a positive acceleration, and (d) downward with a negative acceleration.

SOLUTION

The pressure at a depth h is given by, p=γh 1± ( ag )

(a) Upward motion with a positive acceleration (use “+” with a=+8 m/s 2)

(
ρ=( 9.81× 0.8 ) ( 3 ) 1+
+8
9.81 )
ρ=42.74 kPa

(b) Upward motion with a negative acceleration (use “+” with a=−8 m/s 2 ¿

(
ρ=( 9.81× 0.8 ) ( 3 ) 1+
−8
9.81 )
ρ=4.34 kPa

(c) Downward motion with a positive acceleration (use “-” with a=+8 m/s 2 ¿

(
ρ=( 9.81× 0.8 ) ( 3 ) 1−
+8
9.81 )
ρ=4.34 kPa

(d) Downward motion with a negative acceleration (use “-” with a=−8 m/s 2 ¿

(
ρ=( 9.81× 0.8 ) ( 3 ) 1−
−8
9.81 )
ρ=42.74 kPa
4. An open tank is 2.4 m long, 1.2 m wide, and 0.6 m high, contains crude oil (sp. gr =
0.92) three-fourths full according to the gage located at the 0.45 m front bottom of the
tank. No liquid is spilled in the situation. Determine the acceleration that the tank must
have parallel to the longest sides so that the gage will read (a) full; (b) 60% full; (c)
Determine the reading in the gage if the car travels at a constant speed of 100 kph.

SOLUTION
(a) full
−a x 0.15
tanθ 1= =
9.81 1.2
a x =−1.226 m/ s2

(b) 60% full

−a x 0.24
tanθ 2= =
9.81 2.4
2
a x =0.981 m/ s

(c) gage reading at 100 kph

p g=γh
p g=[0.92 ( 9.81 ) ](0.45)
p g=4.061 kPa

5. An open rectangular tank mounted on a truck is 5m long, 2m wide and 2.5m high is
filled with water to a depth of 2m. (a) What is the maximum horizontal acceleration can
be imposed on tank without spilling any water and (b) determine the accelerating force
on the liquid mass? (c) If the acceleration is increased to 6 m/s 2, how much water is
spilled out?

SOLUTION
(a) What is the maximum horizontal acceleration
can be imposed on tank without spilling any
water?
0.5
tan θ= =0.2
2.5
a
tanθ=
g
 a
0.2= 2
9.81 m/s
a=1.96 m/s 2
(b) determine the accelerating force on the liquid mass
F=ma
F=ρVa
3
V =5∗2∗2=20 m

F=1000
kg
m 3
( 20 m3 ) 1.96 m2
s ( )
F=39240 N
(c) If the acceleration is increased to 6 m/s 2, how much water is spilled out?
a 6
tanθ= = =0.612
g 9.81
2.5 2.5
tanθ= → 0.612=
x x
x=4.0875 m
V 1
¿= ( 4.0875 ) ( 2.5 )( 2) ¿
2

V ¿=10.219m ¿ 3

3
V original =5∗2∗2=20 m

V spilled =V original −V ¿¿

3 3
V spilled =20 m −10.219 m

3
V spilled =9.78 m

6. A vessel containing oil accelerated on a plane inclined 15 ° with the horizontal at 1.2
m/s2. Determine the inclination of the oil surface when the motion is (a) upwards, and
(b) downwards.

SOLUTION
(a) Determine the inclination of the oil surface when
the motion is upwards.
aH
tan θ=
g +aV
1.2 cos(15)
tan θ=
9.81+1.2sin (15)
θ=6.53 °
 (b) Determine the inclination of the oil surface when the motion is downwards.
aH
tanθ=
g−a V
1.2 cos(15)
tanθ=
9.81−1.2 sin (15)
θ=6.96 °

7. A closed rectangular tank that is 5 m long, 2 m wide, and 3 m high is filled with water
until it reaches a depth of 2.6 m. If the allowable force at the rear wall of the tank is 250
kN. How fast can it be accelerated horizontally?

5m x
5-x x z

v
HGL a=?
2m θ
h
0.4
z
3m

3m cg
2.6

F=250kN

SOLUTION
F=γ h A

250 kN =( 9.81)(h)[( 2)(3)]

h=4.247 m

y=h−1

y=4.247−1

y=3.247 m

By ratio and proportion of similar triangles:

5−x x
=
3.247 z

3.247 x=z (5−x)

3.247 x=5 z−x z

V air initial=V air final

1
5(0.4 )(2)= ( x)(z )(2)
2

xz=4

4
z=
x

By substitution:

3.247 x=5 z−xz

4
3.247 x=5( )−4
x

x=1.941 m

4
z=
1.941

z=2.061 m

a z
tanθ= =
g x

a 2.061
=
g 1.941

a=(1.062)(9.81)

2
a=10.414 m/ s

8. A cylindrical water tank used in lifting water to the top of a tower is 1.8 m high. If the
pressure at the bottom of the tank must not exceed 19 KPa, what maximum vertical
acceleration can be imposed in the cylinder when it is filled with water.

SOLUTION
a
p=γh(1+ )
g

a
19=(9.81)(1.8)(1+ )
9.81

2
a=0.756 m/s
Every time a person walks along a path, they travel an equal distance. As a result, it is
argued that a person is moving uniformly and rectilinearly.
Rectilinear motion is the motion of an object in a straight line. Some facts about
rectilinear motion include:

 The distance traveled by an object in rectilinear motion is equal to the magnitude

of the displacement vector of the object.
 The velocity of an object in rectilinear motion is constant if the object is moving
with a constant speed in a straight line.
 The acceleration of an object in rectilinear motion is zero if the object is moving
with a constant velocity.
 Newton's first law of motion states that an object in rectilinear motion will remain
at rest or continue to move in a straight line with a constant velocity unless acted
upon by an external force.
 The equations of rectilinear motion can be used to describe the motion of an
object in one dimension, such as position, velocity, and acceleration.
 The equations of rectilinear motion are derived using kinematic equations, which
are mathematical equations that describe the motion of an object without
considering the forces acting on it.
 The equations of rectilinear motion can be used to solve problems involving
distance, velocity, time, and acceleration.
 In the figure below, a cylindrical container partially filled with liquid can be seen. If
the container is rotated about a vertical axis at a constant angular velocity, the liquid
surface changes and it forms a vertex in the form of paraboloid. An equivalent depth
was present depending on how fast the rotation of the container. The following formulas
will be needed in order to derive the formula for the depth y of the liquid surface. Each
v2 2
particle experiences a normal acceleration of a n that is equal to =ω x where x is the
x
particle’s distance from the axis of rotation. Each particle is subjected to centripetal
force or centrifugal force CF = mω2x which produces centripetal acceleration towards
the center of rotation. Other forces that acts are gravity force W = mg and normal
force N.

Figure 4.2.1.Rotating Vessel Model

From the figure:

CF
tanθ=
W

mω 2 x
tanθ=
mg

ω2 x
tanθ=
g
 Where tan θ is the slope at the surface of paraboloid at any distance x from the
axis of rotation. By the use of calculus, the integral of the above formula is equal to the
slope therefore,

dy
=tanθ
dx

dy ω2 r
=
dx g

ω2r
dy = dx
g

ω2
∫ dy= g
∫ r dx

ω2 r2
y=
2g

Where:

ω = angular velocity

r = radius of cylinder

The volume of the paraboloid revolution is given by:

1
V = π r2 h
2

The relationship between any two points in the parabolais given by:

x 21 x 2
=
y1 y

LIQUID CONDITIONS AS THE ANGULAR SPEED INCREASES

For this, a more than half full cylindrical open vessel will be used as an example.
ROTATING OPEN VESSELS

y/2 < D y/2 = D

Figure 4.2.2 Figure 4.2.3

y=H
y/2 > D

Figure 4.2.4 Figure 4.2.5

 y>H

Figure 4.2.6

ROTATING CLOSED VESSELS

For closed vessels, there can never be any liquid spilled, thus, the initial and final
volume of air inside the vessel is equal.

y/2 < D y/2 = D

Figure 4.2.7 Figure 4.2.8

 y>H
y/2 > D Vair initial = Vair final
Vair initial = Vair final

Figure 4.2.9 Figure 4.2.10

y>H
Vair initial = Vair final

Figure 4.2.11
1. A cylindrical vessel that has a diameter of 2m and a height of 5m is filled with water to
a depth of 4m. This is rotated in its vertical axis with constant angular speed. If the air
inside the vessel in under a pressure of 120kPa and if the angular speed is equal to
12rad/sec, what is the pressure at the center.

SOLUTION

Solution:

2 2
ω r
y=
2g

2 2
(12rad / sec) (1 m)
y= 2
2(9.81m/ sec )

y=7.34 m

Assumption:

y
>D
2

7.34 m
>1 m
2

Therefore, the assumption is correct.

Vair initial = Vair final
x 1
V air initial= π r 2 h
2
y1

1
h1
2
V air initial= (1 m) (h)
2

V air initial=3.14 m3

1 2
V air final = π r h
2

1 2
3.14= π (x) ( y 1)
2

Squared property of parabola:

x2 r2
=
y1 y

x2 y
= y1
r2

By substitution:

2
1 2 x y
3.14= π (x) ( 2 )
2 r

1 4 7.34 m
3.14= π ( x) ( )
2 (1 m)
2

11.53 4
3.14= (x)
m

x=0.72 m

x2 y
y 1= 2
r
2
( 0.73) (7.34)
y 1= 2
1

y 1=3.83 m
h1 =5 m− y 1

h1 =5 m−3.83 m

h1 =1.17 m

P1=γ w h1 + Pair

P1=(9.81)(1.17)+120 kPa

P1=131.47 kPa

2. An open cylindrical tank 1.20 m in diameter and 2 m high contains 1.3 m deep of
water. The tank is rotated about its own vertical axis at 90 rpm. How much water is
spilled in liters?

SOLUTION
ω2 r2
y=
2g
2 2
(9.425) ( 0.6)
y= =1.63 m
2(9.81)

y
=0.815m
2

a=H−h

a=2−1.3=0.7

Since y/2 is greater than the value of a, the following solution will be followed,

2 y
V spill =π r ( −a)
2

2
V spill =π (0.6) (0.815−0.7)
V spill =¿129.973L

3. A closed cylindrical vessel 1 m in - diameter and 1.8 m high is filled with water to a
height of 1.37 m. The rest is filled with air, the pressure of which 106.87 kPa. If the
vessel is rotated at 191 rpm about its axis what is the height of the paraboloid formed?

SOLUTION
ω2 r2
y=
2g

191 2 2
( ) (0.5)
30
y=
2(9.81)

y=5.1 m

H 2 1.8 2
= =3.77 m
2 D 2.043

H2
y>
2D
4. From the previous problem determine the minimum and maximum pressure at the
base.

SOLUTION
D H2
y 1= ( y− )
H 2D

2
0 .43 1.8
y 1= (5.1− )
1.8 2(0.43)

y 1=0.32 m

Pmax =Pair +γh

Pmax =106.87+(9.81)(5.1−0.318)

Pmax =153.78 kPa

Pmin =106.87 kPa

5. An open cylindrical tank, 2m in diameter and 4m high contains water to a depth of
3m. It is rotated about its own vertical axis with a constant angular speed ω.
a. If ω=4 rad /s , is there any liquid spilled?
b. What maximum value of (in rpm) can be imposed without spilling any
liquid?

Figure 4.2.1

SOLUTION
a. If ω=4 rad /s , is there any liquid spilled?

Given:

ω=4 rad /s

2
r = =1 m
2

Solution:

ω2 r2
y=
2g

( 4 )2 (1)
y=
2(9.81)

y=0.82m

y
=0.41 m<1 m ,therefore no liquid is spilled out
2
b. What maximum value of (in rpm) can be imposed without spilling any
liquid?

Given:

2
r = =1 m
2

y=2m

Solution:

2 2
ω r
y=
2g

( ω )2(1)
2=
2(9.81)

ω=6.26 rad / s

ω=59.78 rpm
6. An open cylindrical vessel 1.2m in diameter and 2.1m high is 2/3 full of water.
Compute the amount of water in liters that will spilled out is the vessel is rotated about
vertical axis at a constant angular speed of 120 rpm.

SOLUTION
ω2 r2
y=
2g

π
ω=120 rpm x =4 π rad /s
30

( 4 π )2( 0.6)
y=
2(9.81)

y=2.90m

y
=1.45 m>0.7 m, therefore some liquid is spilled out
2

V spilled =V air final −V airinitial

1 2 2
V spilled = π ( 0.6 ) ( 2.9 ) −π ( 0.6 ) ( 0.7)
2

3 3
V spilled =0.85 m x 1000lit / m

V spilled =850 liters

Facts: German Engineer Anton Flettner was the first to build a rotor ship
which attempted to tap this force for propulsion, and it was called The Baden-
Baden.

7. A closed cylindrical vessel 1 m in diameter and 1.8 m high is filled with water to a
height of 1.37 m. The rest is filled with air, the pressure of which 106.87 kPa. If the
vessel is rotated at 191 rpm about its axis,
(a) What is the height (m) of the paraboloid formed?
(b) Determine the maximum pressure (kPa) at the base.
(c) Determine the minimum pressure (kPa) at the base.

SOLUTION
(a) height (m)
 ( )
2
191 π ( )2
0.5
30
y=
2× 9.81
y=5.1 m

2 2
H 1.8
= =3.77 m
2 D 2× 0.43
H2
y>
2D

(b) maximum pressure (kPa)

( )
2
D H
y 1= y−
H 2D

( )
2
0.43 1.8
y 1= 5.1−
1.8 2× 0.43
y 1=0.318 m

pmax =106.87+9.81(5.1−0.318)
pmax =153.78 kPa

(b) minimum pressure (kPa)

pmin =106.87 kPa

8. A cylindrical bucket 150 mm in diameter and 250 mm high contains 150 mm of water.
A boy swings the bucket on a vertical plane so that the bottom of the bucket describes a
circle of radius 1 m. How fast should it be rotated so that no water will be spilled?
SOLUTION
The critical position for the liquid to fall is at the highest point. From Figure (b):
CF =W
CF=Μ a n
W 2
CF= ω r
g

W 2
ω r =W
g
2
ω r =g
ω 2 ( 0.925 ) =9.81
30
ω=3.26 rad / sec ×
π
ω=31.13 rpm
9. An open cylindrical tank 1.20m in diameter and 2m high contains 1.3m deep of
water. The tank is rotated about its own vertical axis at 90 rpm. How much water is
spilled?

SOLUTION
D=1.20 m a=H−h=2−1.30=0.7 m

D 1.20
H=2m r= = =0.6 m
2 2

rad
g=1.20m ω=90 rpm=9.425
s

h=1.30 m x=r =0.6 m

ω 2∗x 2 9.425 2∗0.62

y= = =1.63 m
2∗g 2∗1.20

y 1.63
y= = =0.815 m
2 2

1 2 1 2 3
V ai r = ∗π∗r ∗y = ∗π∗0.6 ∗1.63=0.92165 m =921.65 L
2
final
2

V ai r =π∗r 2∗a=π∗0.62∗0.7=791.68 L
initial

V spilled =V ai r −V air =921.65 L−791.68 L=129.973 L

final initial
10. An open cylindrical tank 1.2m in diameter and 2.4m tall contains 1.8m deep of
water. The tank is resolved about its own vertical axis at uniform angular speed ω.
(a) If ω=70 rpm, how deep is the water at the center of
the tank?
(b) What maximum angular speed ω can be imposed
on the tank without spilling water?
(c) If ω=100 rpm, how much water is spilled?
Solution:
Tank radius, r =0.6 m

SOLUTION
π rad
(a) ω=70 rpm ( ¿=7.33
30 s
ω 2∗x 2 7.332∗0.62
y= = =0.986 m
2∗g 2∗9.81
y 0.986
= =0.493 m< 0.6 mno spillage
2 2
Depth of water at center , hc =1.8−0.493=1.31m
y
(b) =0.6 m
2
y=1.2 m
2 2 2 2
ω ∗x ω ∗0.6
y= →1.2 m=
2∗g 2∗9.81
rad
ω=8.087
s
ω=77.23 rpm
rad
(c) ω=100 rpm=10.472
s
2 2 2 2
ω ∗x 10.472 ∗0.6
y= = =2.012m
2∗g 2∗9.81
y
=1.006 m> 0.6 m
2
1 2 1 2
V p= ∗π∗r ∗y = ∗π∗0.6 ∗2.012∗1000=1138 L
2 2
2 2
V air =π∗r ∗a=π∗0.6 ∗0.6∗1000=679 L
V spilled =V p−V air =1138−679=459 L
 The first centrifuge was invented by the British engineer, George Cayley, in 1855.
It was used to separate cream from milk.

German Engineer Anton Flettner was the first to build a rotor ship which
attempted to tap this force for propulsion, and it was called The Baden-Baden.