HYDROSTATICS AND PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS
The apparatus consists of a self-contained bench complete with all necessary equipment for a wide range of demonstrations and experiments in hydrostatics and properties of fluids. Much of the equipment is rigidly mounted on the bench, the remainder being free-standing items suitable for use on the bench top.
The bench has a reservoir that supplies water for the experiments. A tank on the unit can be filled from the reservoir for experiments that need a free-water surface. A drain tray next to the tank is for collecting and returning water to the reservoir.
The bench is readily movable and is therefore ideal for lecture room demonstrations as well as student experiments. Experimental equipment supplied with the bench includes a fluid-level apparatus for demonstrating Pascal’s law, and two U-tube manometers. A toroidal sloped tank is mounted within an integrated balance to determine centre of pressure. Archimedes’ principle is proved by using a fixed mass immersed in a header of water mounted on a beam balance. Further items of equipment include a Bourdon pressure gauge with deadweight calibration, and a rectangular pontoon with adjustable weights for studies of a floating body and metacentric height.
Apparatus for determination of fluid properties includes a Eureka can, a specific-gravity bottle, a hydrometer capillarity apparatus, a falling-sphere viscometer and a vernier point gauge for fluid level measurement.
Please note; due to environmental legislation, we no longer include the barometer.
Learning outcomes
- Determination of fluid density and specific gravity
- Principles and use of a hydrometer
- Capillarity in tubes and between plates
- Measurement of viscosity by falling sphere method
- Demonstration of Pascal’s law
- Measurement of fluid levels by vernier hook gauge
- Fluid flow head relationship
- Verification of Archimedes’ principle and demonstration of principles of flotation
- Stability of a floating body and determination of metacentric height
- Measurement of force and centre of pressure on a plane surface
- Operation and calibration of a Bourdon pressure gauge
- U-tube manometers with fluids of different density