EXPERIMENT 16

COEFFICIENT OF DISCHARGE OF AN ORIFICE UNDER THE FALLING HEAD

OBJECTIVE:
To know the coefficient of discharge of an orifice under the falling head
APPARATUS:
(a) Cylindrical container with the orifice
(b) Meter stick
(c) Water container
(d) Stopwatch
THEORY:
1. When the water discharging in an orifice the supply stock with time. The head as
well as the discharge rate is decreasing at a variable rate.
2. The general formula for the discharge in a variable head is;
=
Where;
is the differential time
is the incremental drop in the liquid level for time dt
is the discharge at any instant
is the discharge at any instant when the head is n, given by the formula;
= 2
Where;
C is the coefficient of discharge of the orifice
is the area of the orifice
is the gravity constant
is the head over the orifice at any instant time

PROCEDURE:
(A)
1.
2.
3.
4.

Measure the orifice diameter

With the orifice of the tank closed, fill the tank until it is full
Set the stopwatch time to zero
Open the orifice instantly and let the water to flow free in air. Simultaneously
let the time start.

5. Turn off the stopwatch and close the opening of the orifice as soon as the level of
water surface has dropped approximately one-fourth of the original water level.
6. Measure the distance dropped by the level from the original level.
7. Record the elapsed time.
8. Repeat the procedure 3 to 6 for every quarter distance dropped by water. The last
water level measured must be 5 centimeters above the orifice.
(B)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Close orifice and fill the tank water until it is full

Set the stopwatch time to zero
Open the orifice simultaneously with the start of time
When the water level is near the orifice, set the time off and close the orifice.
Measure the distance dropped by the water level form the original level.
Record the time elapsed in seconds.

DRAWING

OBSERVATIONS
SET 1:
NO.

AREA OF
ORIFICE

1
2
3
4

1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33

VOLUME
READING
(cm3)
76986.30
75476.76
72457.69
28681.17

VOLUME
(liters)

WATER INITIAL
HEAD (cm)

WATER FINAL
HEAD (cm)

TIME
(sec)

76.986
75.477
72.458
28.681

100
74.5
49.5
25.5

74.5
49.5
25.5
16

342
341
468
98

0.65
0.61
0.68
0.66

SET2:
NO.

AREA OF
ORIFICE

1
2
3
4

1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33

VOLUME
READING
(cm3)
75476.76
76986.30
78495.83
25662.10

VOLUME
(liters)

WATER INITIAL
HEAD (cm)

WATER FINAL
HEAD (cm)

TIME
(sec)

75.477
76.986
78.496
25.662

100
75
50.5
24.5

75
50.5
24.5
16

344
342
476
88

0.65
0.67
0.69
0.71

VOLUME
(liters)

WATER INITIAL
HEAD (cm)

WATER FINAL
HEAD (cm)

TIME
(sec)

75.477
75.477
72.458
30.191

100
75
50
26

75
50
26
16

343
340
452
102

0.67
0.65
0.65
0.68

SET3:
NO.

AREA OF
ORIFICE

1
2
3
4

1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33

VOLUME
READING
(cm3)
75476.76
75476.76
72457.69
30190.71

RESULTS
The value of C for the first set is ____.64_____.
The value of the C for the second set is ___0.68____.
The value of the C for the third set is ____0.66___.
PRECAUTIONS
1. No solid materials shall enter into the tank.
2. The tank being used must not create a partial vacuum during the discharging
process, that is, the tank must be open to the atmosphere.
3. Measurement of the volume may be counter checked by weighing. The volume is
equal to the weight of the water collected divided by the unit weight of the water.
ANALYSIS:
The data shows that the coefficient of the three sets is almost the same. Even though
there is a difference in water head, for the sets there is similarity is coefficient values and the
time gathered is almost close in the other sets.
CONCLUSION:
The effective discharge coefficient C is the product of 3 coefficients accounting for
different losses and assumptions. The energy losses across the orifice are taken into account by
the velocity coefficient Cv. The area of flow at the vena contracta is smaller than the area of the
orifice due to the contracting jet is taken into account by the contraction coefficient. Therefore,

the water discharging in an orifice the supply stock with time. The head as well as the discharge
rate is decreasing at a variable rate.

Members:
GEOCA, Gethel Jane
LUY, Mikel Steven
SABIDO, April Diane M.
SEQUITIN, Camille Andrea
TABUCLIN, Mae Melmarie E.
TAN, Rosni AIna
TAMPUS, Neil Joseph E.
TORRES, Yolibelle
VILLAREAL, Hannah Lou S.
VIVAR, Carlo Julius Estefano