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Explanation of how fluid principles are applied in various mechanisms. Also refer to Physical Science, Physics, Mechanics, hydraulics, airplanes, airfoils, Bernoulli, School for Champions, Kurtus echnolo!ies, Milwau"ee, #isconsin. Copyri!ht $estrictions

Applications of Fluid Principles

%y $on Kurtus &' May ())*+ here are several ma,or applications of the special properties of fluids. he pressure of fluids can %e amplified throu!h the use of hydraulic mechanisms. Chan!es in pressure with the velocity of the fluid allow airplanes to fly. -luids are also used to reduced friction. .uestions you may have include/ 0ow can pressure %y amplified throu!h hydraulic mechanisms1 0ow do airplanes fly1 0ow is friction reduced1

his lesson will answer those 2uestions. here is a mini32ui4 at the end of the lesson.

Hydraulics
0ydraulics concern fluids33usually li2uids33that are in partially enclosed containers, such that you can apply pressure in one area. An example is a cylinder with a piston.

Pressure from single piston

5f you have a cylinder filled with a li2uid and apply a force to a piston on one end of the cylinder, the pressure &P+ on the walls of the cylinder e2ual the force &F+ divided %y the area &A+ of the piston in the cylinder. P6F7A

Pressure on second piston

8ow, if the first cylinder was connected to a second cylinder of lar!er diameter, the pressure inside that cylinder would %e the same P, %ut the force F2 applied to the lar!er piston would now %e/ P 6 F2 7 A2 Pressure same he pressure for %oth is the same. hus, F2 7 A2 = F 7 A

or F2 = &F x A2+ 7 A -or example, if F 6 *)) pounds and A 6 9 s2uare inches, then P 6 () pounds7s2uare inch. P is the same on %oth pistons. Force greater on large piston 5f the lar!er piston had an area of A2 6 (9 s2uare inches, and the pressure remained at P 6 () pounds7s2uare inch, then the resultin! force on that piston would %e F2 = &F x A2+ 7 A 6 &*)) x (9+ 7 9 6 9)) pounds. his is a mechanical advanta!e, similar to that seen with levers.

Used in brakes
0ydraulic mechanisms are used in the %ra"es in your car. he force applied on the %ra"e pedal is multiplied on the %ra"e drums. Another use is to ,ac" up a heavy item, li"e a truc".

elocity reduces pressure

he scientist Bernoulli discovered that the air pressure in a tu%e !oes down when the velocity of the air in the tu%e increases. his discovery %ecame "nown as Bernoulli:s Principle.

Used by airplanes
he !reatest application of this principle is used in airplanes. he win! of an airplane is usually curved on top and flat on the %ottom. his shape is called the airfoil. #hen the air moves over the curved top portion of the win! or airfoil, it speeds up %ecause of the shape. his lowers the pressure with respect to the %ottom part of the win!. ;ower pressure on the top results in the lift re2uired to "eep the airplane aloft. he principle is so simple, %ut not very o%vious.

Flying up-side-down
But if the airfoil !ives lift, how can an airplane fly up3side3down1 5f the airplane is !oin! fast enou!h, other factors influence the lift. #hen the plane is up3side3down, it is really flyin! at a sli!ht an!le, so it is !oin! sli!htly upward to compensate for the loss of lift. Some airplanes33such as an airliner33can have !reat difficulty flyin! up3side3down. <sually only smaller stunt planes and military craft can do this maneuver.

Friction reduced

Solids can have rou!h surfaces. Even microscopic rou!hness can result in a su%stantial resistive force of friction when two solids are ru%%ed to!ether, as well as wear on the parts.

Fluids offer little resistance

=n the other hand, a fluid does not have a rou!h surface and ru%%in! a solid alon! a fluid results in little resistive force. 5nstead of friction, the resistance is due to the thic"ness or viscosity of the li2uid, which affects its a%ility to move and chan!e its shape.

Used as lubricants
he reduction of friction of two solids can then %e achieved %y separatin! them %y a layer of a fluid, so the solid surfaces are not in direct contact. his is called lu%rication. #ater can %e used as a lu%ricant, %ut it also evaporates 2uic"ly. =ils are typically used to lu%ricate parts and prevent friction, as well as excessive wear from the friction. 5n some small, hi!h speed parts, such as the hard3drive of your computer, air is used as a lu%ricant.

!n conclusion
0ydraulics use fluid pressure to create the same mechanical advanta!e as a lever. he Bernoulli Principle allows airplanes to fly from the lift created %y reduced air pressure on the top of their win!s. -luids also can %e used to reduce friction.

Apply what you "now

"ini#$ui% to chec& your understanding

&8ote/ >our %rowser must %e a%le to use ?avaScript for this 2ui4 to function properly.+ '( !f the area of the larger piston in an hydraulic de)ice dou*les+ ,hat happens to the force applied to that piston5t stays the same 5t dou%les 5t is cut in half 2( Ho, can a plane fly up#side#do,n5t can only %e done in the movies By flippin! its win!s inside3out

By flyin! at a sli!ht upward an!le .( /hy doesn0t a fluid ha)e a rough surface li&e a solid5t does, %ut you can:t see it A fluid:s surface has no distinct shape -luids are all slippery 5f you !ot all three correct, you are on your way to %ecomin! a champion in science. 5f you had pro%lems, you had %etter loo" over the material a!ain.

/hat do you thin&@o you have any 2uestions, comments, or opinions on this su%,ect1 5f so, send an email with your feed%ac". 5 will try to !et %ac" to you as soon as possi%le. -eel free to esta%lish a lin" from your we% site to pa!es in this site.

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Applications of Fluid Principles Also see2

Fluids Pressure in Fluids Floating in Fluids Succeed in /riting 3ist 4our School 55 Pre)ious | 6ext 77

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