9

Mechanical
Properties of Fluids
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q. 1 A tall cylinder is filled with viscous oil. A round pebble is dropped from
the top with zero initial velocity. From the plot shown in figure, indicate
the one that represents the velocity (v ) of the pebble as a function of time
(t) .

v v v v

t t t t
(a) (b) (c) (d)

K Thinking Process
When the pebble is dropped from the top, a variable force called viscous force will
act which increases with increase in speed. And at equilibrium this velocity becomes
constant.
Ans. (c) When the pebble is falling through the viscous oil the viscous force is
F = 6phr v
where r is radius of the pebble, v is instantaneous speed, h is coefficient of viscosity.
As the force is variable, hence acceleration is also variable so v-t graph will not be
straight line.First velocity increases and then becomes constant known as terminal
velocity.
Q. 2 Which of the following diagrams does not represent a streamline flow?

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Ans. (d) In a streamline flow at any given point, the velocity of each passing fluid particles
remaines constant. If we consider a cross-sectional area, then a point on the area
cannot have different velocities at the same time, hence two streamlines of flow cannot
cross each other.

Q. 3 Along a streamline,
(a) the velocity of a fluid particle remains constant
(b) the velocity of all fluid particles crossing a given position is constant
(c) the velocity of all fluid particles at a given instant is constant
(d) the speed of a fluid particle remains constant
Ans. (b) As we know for a streamline flow of a liquid velocity of each particle at a particular
cross-section is constant, because Av = constant (law of continuity) between two
cross-section of a tube of flow.

Q. 4 An ideal fluid flows through a pipe of circular cross-section made of two

sections with diameters 2.5 cm and 3.75 cm. The ratio of the velocities in
the two pipes is
(a) 9 : 4 (b) 3 : 2 (c) 3 : 2 (d) 2 : 3

Ans. (a) Consider the diagram where an ideal fluid is flowing through a pipe.
v1 v2

A1 A2

As given
d1 = Diameter at 1st point is 2.5.
d 2 = Diameter at 2nd point is 3.75.
Applying equation of continuity for cross-sections A1 and A2 .
Þ A1v1 = A2 v 2
2
v1 A p(r 2 ) æ r ö
Þ = 2 = 22 = çç 2 ÷÷
v2 A1 p(r1 ) è r1 ø
. ö2
æ 375 é d ù
ç ÷ r = 2ú
2 . ö2 9 ê 2
æ 375 2
= ç ÷ =ç ÷ = ê
ç 2.5 ÷ è 2.5 ø 4 ê d1 ú
ç ÷ r = ú
è 2 ø ë1 2 û
Q. 5 The angle of contact at the interface of water-glass is 0°, ethyl
alcohol-glass is 0°, mercury-glass is 140° and methyliodide-glass is 30°.
A glass capillary is put in a trough containing one of these four liquids. It
is observed that the meniscus is convex. The liquid in the trough is
(a) water (b) ethylalcohol (c) mercury (d) methyliodide
Ans. (c) According to the question, the observed meniscus is of convex figure shape. Which is
only possible when angle of contact is obtuse. Hence, the combination will be of
mercury-glass (140°)

convex

140°

mercury

Multiple Choice Questioins (More Than One Options)

Q. 6 For a surface molecule,
(a) the net force on it is zero
(b) there is a net downward force
(c) the potential energy is less than that of a molecule inside
(d) the potential energy is more than that of a molecule inside
Ans. (b, d)
Consider the diagram where two molecules of a liquid are shown. One is well inside the
liquid and other is on the surface. The molecule (A) which is well inside experiences equal
forces from all directions, hence net force on it will be zero.
And molecules on the liquid surface have some extra energy as it surrounded surraind by
only lower half side of liquid molecules.

Q. 7 Pressure is a scalar quantity, because

(a) it is the ratio of force to area and both force and area are vectors
(b) it is the ratio of the magnitude of the force to area
(c) it is the ratio of the component of the force normal to the area
(d) it does not depend on the size of the area chosen
Ans. (b, c)
Pressure is defined as the ratio of magnitude of component of the force normal to the area
and the area under consideration.
As magnitude of component is considered, hence, it will not have any direction. So,
pressure is a scalar quantity.

Q. 8 A wooden block with a coin placed on its top, floats in water as shown in
figure.
Coin

The distance l and h are shown in the figure. After sometime, the coin falls
into the water. Then,
(a) l decreases (b) h decreases (c) l increases (d) h increases
K Thinking Process
When any body floats in a liquid, the upthrust force acting on the body due to the
displaced liquid is balanced by its weight.

Ans. (a,b)
When the coin falls into the water, weight of the (block + coin) system decreases, which was
balanced by the upthrust force earlier. As weight of the system decreases, hence upthrust
force will also decrease which is only possible when l decreases.
As l decreases volume of water displaced by the block decreases, hence h decreases.
Note As the coin falls into water, it displaces some volume of water which is very less
hence, we neglect volume of the coin.

Q. 9 With increase in temperature, the viscosity of

(a) gases decreases (b) liquids increases
(c) gases increases (d) liquids decreases
Ans. (c, d)
1
For liquids coefficient of viscosity, hµ
T
i.e., with increase in temperature h decreases.
For gases coefficient of viscosity, hµ T
i.e., with increase in temperature h increases.

Q. 10 Streamline flow is more likely for liquids with

(a) high density (b) high viscosity
(c) low density (d) low viscosity
Ans. (b, c)
Streamline flow is more likely for liquids having low density. We know that greater the
coefficient of viscosity of a liquid more will be velocity gradient hence each line of flow can
be easily differentiated. Also higher the coefficient of viscosity lower will be Reynolds
number, hence flow more like to be streamline.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q. 11 Is viscosity a vector?
Ans. Viscosity is a property of liquid it does not have any direction, hence it is a scalar quantity.

Q. 12 Is surface tension a vector?

Ans. No, surface tension is a scalar quantity.
Work done
Surface tension = , where work done and surface area both are scalar
Surface area
quantities.

Q. 13 Iceberg floats in water with part of it submerged. What is the fraction of

the volume of iceberg submerged, if the density of ice is
r i = 0.917 g cm -3 ?
Ans. Given, density of ice ( r ice ) = 0.917g /cm3
Density of water (r w ) = 1g/cm3
Let V be the total volume of the iceberg and V¢ of its volume be submerged in water.
In floating condition.
Weight of the iceberg = Weight of the water displaced by the submerged part by ice
Vr ice g = V ¢rw g
V ¢ rice 0.917
or = = = 0.917 (Q Weight=mg=vrg )
V rw 1

Q. 14 A vessel filled with water is kept on a weighing pan and the scale
adjusted to zero. A block of mass M and density r is suspended by a
massless spring of spring constant k. This block is submerged inside into
the water in the vessel. What is the reading of the scale?
Ans. Consider the diagram,
The scale is adjusted to zero, therefore, when the block suspended to a spring is immersed
in water, then the reading of the scale will be equal to the thrust on the block due to water.
Thrust = weight of water displaced
= Vr w g (where V is volume of the block and r w is density of water)
m ær ö
= r w g = çç w ÷÷ mg
r è r ø
mass m
(QDensity of the block r = = )
volume V

K
r

rw
Q. 15 A cubical block of density r is floating on the surface of water. Out of its
height L, fraction x is submerged in water. The vessel is in an elevator
accelerating upward with acceleration a. What is the fraction immersed?
K Thinking Process
As the elevator is accelerating upward the net acceleration of the block with respect
to the elevator can be calculate by the concept of pseudo force.
Ans. Consider the diagram.
Let the density of water be r w and a cubical block of ice of side L Elevator
be floating in water with x of its height (L) submerged in water.
Volume of the block (V ) = L3 a
Mass of the block (m) = Vr = L3r L x
Weight of the block = mg = L3rg
1st case
Volume of the water displaced by the submerged part of the
2
block = x L
\Weight of the water displaced by the block
In floating condition, x L2r w g
Weight of the block = Weight of the water displaced by the block
L3rg = x L2rw g
x r
or = =x
L rw
2nd case
When elevator is accelerating upward with an acceleration a, then effective acceleration
= ( g + a) (Q Pseudo force is downward)
Then, weight of the block = m ( g + a)
= L3r (g + a)
Let x1 fraction be submerged in water when elevator is accelerating upwards.
Now, in the floating condition, weight of the block = weight of the displaced water
L3r (g + a) = (x1L2 )rw (g + a)
x1 r
or = =x
L rw
From 1st and 2nd case,
We see that,the fraction of the block submerged in water is independent of the acceleration
of the elevator.
Note We should not confuse with the concept of pseudo force, i.e., pseudo force is
downward, hence fraction will change due to increased force.
Short Answer Type Questions
Q. 16 The sap in trees, which consists mainly of water in summer, rises in a
system of capillaries of radius r = 2.5 ´ 10 -5 m. The surface tension of
sap is T = 7.28 ´ 10 -2 Nm -1 and the angle of contact is 0°. Does surface
tension alone account for the supply of water to the top of all trees?
Ans. Given, radius (r ) = 2.5 ´ 10-5 m
Surface tension (S ) = 7.28 ´ 10-2 N/m
Angle of contact (q) = 0°
The maximum height to which sap can rise in trees through capillarity action is given by
2S cos q
h= where S=Surface tension, r =Density, r=Radius
rrg
2 ´ 7.28 ´ 10-2 ´ cos 0°
= = 0.6 m
2 .5 ´ 10-5 ´ 1 ´ 10-3 ´ 9.8
This is the maximum height to which the sap can rise due to surface tension. Since, many
trees have heights much more than this, capillary action alone cannot account for the rise of
water in all trees.

Q. 17 The free surface of oil in a tanker, at rest, is horizontal. If the tanker

starts accelerating the free surface will be titled by an angle q. If the
acceleration is a ms -2 , what will be the slope of the free surface?
K Thinking Process
As the tanker starts accelerating, free surface of the tanker will not be horizontal
because pseudo force acts.
Ans. Consider the diagram where a tanker is accelerating with acceleration a.
dma cos q

dm
q dmg sin q
dma 90-q
q
a
dmg

Consider an elementary particle of the fluid of mass dm.

The acting forces on the particle with respect to the tanker are shown above .
Now, balancing forces (as the particle is in equilibrium) along the inclined direction
component of weight = component of pseudo force dmg sin q = dmacos q (we have
assumed that the surface is inclined at an angle q) where, dma is pseudo force
Þ gsin q =a cos q
Þ a = g tan q
a
Þ tan q = =slope
g
Q. 18 Two mercury droplets of radii 0.1 cm and 0.2 cm collapse into one single
drop. What amount of energy is released? The surface tension of mercury
T = 435. 5 ´ 10 -3 Nm -1 .
K Thinking Process
In this process, conservation of mass will be applied. Before and after collapse, mass
and hence, volume of the system remains conserved.
Ans. Consider the diagram.
Radii of mercury droplets . cm = 1 ´ 10-3 m
r1 = 01
r2 = 0.2 cm = 2 ´ 10-3 m

Surface tension (T ) = 435. 5 ´ 10-3 N/m

Let the radius of the big drop formed by collapsing be R.
\Volume of big drop = Volume of small droplets r1 r2
4 3 4 3 4 2
pR = pr1 + pr2
3 3 3
or R 3 = r13 + r23
. )3 + (0.2 )3
= (01 Collapse
= 0.001 + 0.008
= 0.009 R
or R = 0.21cm = 2.1 ´ 10-3 m
\Change in surface area DA = 4pR 2 - (4pr12 + 4pr22 )
= 4p[R 2 - (r12 + r22 )]
\ Energy released = T × DA ( where T is surface tension of mercury)
= T ´ 4p[R 2 - (r12 + r22 )]
= 435.5 ´ 10-3 ´ 4 ´ 314
. [(2.1 ´ 10-3 )2
- (1 ´ 10-6 + 4 ´ 10-6 )]
. [4.41 - 5] ´ 10-6 ´ 10-3
= 435.5 ´ 4 ´ 314
= - 32.23 ´ 10-7 (Negative sign shows absorption)
-6
Therefore, 3.22 ´ 10 J energy will be absorbed.
Note In this process, energy is not conserved. Energy is lst due to the collapsing, in
the form of radiations.

Q. 19 If a drop of liquid breaks into smaller droplets, it results in lowering of

temperature of the droplets. Let a drop of radius R, break into N small
droplets each of radius r . Estimate the drop in temperature.
Ans. When a big drop of radius R, breaks into N droplets each of radius r, the volume remains
constant.
\ Volume of big drop = N ´Volume of each small drop
4 3 4
pR = N ´ pr 3
3 3
or R 3 = Nr 3
R3
or N=
r3
Now, change in surface area = 4pR 2 - N4pr 2
= 4p(R 2 - Nr 2 )
Energy released = T ´ DA = S ´ 4p(R 2 - Nr 2 ) [T = Surface tension]
 Due to releasing of this energy, the temperature is lowered.
If r is the density and s is specific heat of liquid and its temperature is lowered by Dq, then
energy released = msDq [s = specific heat Dq = change in temperature]
æ4 ö 4
T ´ 4p(R - Nr ) = ç ´ R 3 ´ r ÷ sDq
2 2
[\ m = vr = pR 3r]
è 3 ø 3
T ´ 4p(R 2 - Nr 2 )
Þ Dq =
4 3
pR r ´ s
3
3T é R 2 Nr 2 ù
= ê - 3ú
rs ë R 3 R û
3T é 1 (R 3 / r 3 ) ´ r 2 ù
= ê - ú
rs êë R R3 úû
3T é 1 1ù
= -
rs ëê R r ûú

Q. 20 The surface tension and vapour pressure of water at 20°C is

7.28 ´ 10 -2 Nm -1 and 2.33 ´ 10 3 Pa, respectively. What is the radius of
the smallest spherical water droplet which can form without evaporating
at 20°C?
Ans. Given, surface tension of water
(S ) = 7.28 ´ 10-2 N/m
3
Vapour pressure ( p) = 2.33 ´ 10 Pa
The drop will evaporate, if the water pressure is greater than the vapour pressure.
Let a water droplet or radius R can be formed without evaporating.
Vapour pressure = Excess pressure in drop.
2S
\ p=
R
2S 2 ´ 7.28 ´ 10-2
or R= =
p 2.33 ´ 103
= 6.25 ´ 10-5 m

Q. 21 (a) Pressure decreases as one ascends the atmosphere. If the density of air
is r, what is the change in pressure dp over a differential height dh?
(b) Considering the pressure p to be proportional to the density, find the
pressure p at a height h if the pressure on the surface of the earth is
p0 .
(c) If p 0 = 1.03 ´ 10 5 Nm-2 , r0 = 129
. kg m-3 and g = 9.8 ms -2 , at what
height will be pressure drop to (1/10) the value at the surface of the
earth?
(d) This model of the atmosphere works for relatively small distances.
Identify the underlying assumption that limits the model.
 K Thinking Process
As we are going up in the atmosphere, thickness of the gases above us decreases
hence, pressure also decreases.
Ans. (a) Consider a horizontal parcel of air with cross-section A and height dh.

p
dh
p+dp

Let the pressure on the top surface and bottom surface be p and p + dp. If the parcel is
in equilibrium, then the net upward force must be balanced by the weight.
i.e., ( p + dp)A - pA = - rgAdh (QWeight = Density ´ Volume × g)
= - r ´ Adh ´ g
Þ dp = - rgdh . (r = density of air)
Negative sign shows that pressure decreases with height.
(b) Let po be the density of air on the surface of the earth.
As per question, pressure µ density
p r
Þ =
po r o
r
Þ r= o p
po
r g
\ dp = - o pdh [Q dp = -rgdh]
po
dp rog
Þ =- dh
p po
p
dp ro g h éQ at h = o, r = po ù
Þ ò p
=-
po ò0
dh
ëê and at h = h ,p = pûú
po
p r g
Þ ln =- o h
po po
æ r gh ö
By removing log, p = po e çç - o ÷÷
è po ø
r gh
- o
(c) As p = po e po
,
p r gh
Þ In =- o
po Po
1
By question, p= po
10
æ 1 ö
ç po ÷
r g
Þ In ç 10 ÷=- o h
ç po ÷ po
ç ÷
è ø
1 ro g
Þ In =- hro
10 po
 po 1 p p
\ h=- In = - o In (10)-1 = o In10
r o g 10 po g po g
po
= ´ 2 .303 [QIn (x)=2.303 log10 (x)]
rog
1013
. ´ 105
= . ´ 105 m
´ 2.303 = 016
1.22 ´ 9.8
= 16 ´ 103 m
(d) We know that pµr (when T = constant i.e., isothermal pressure)
Temperature (T ) remains constant only near the surface of the earth, not at greater
heights.

Q. 22 Surface tension is exhibited by liquids due to force of attraction

between molecules of the liquid. The surface tension decreases with
increase in temperature and vanishes at boiling point. Given that the
latent heat of vaporisation for water L v = 540 k cal kg -1 , the mechanical
equivalent of heat J = 4.2 J cal -1 , density of water rw = 10 3 kg l -1 ,
Avagardro’s number N A = 6.0 ´ 10 26 k mole -1 and the molecular weight
of water M A = 10 kg for 1 k mole.
(a) Estimate the energy required for one molecule of water to evaporate.
1/ 3
éM 1ù
(b) Show that the inter-molecular distance for water is d = ê A ´ ú
N
ë A rw û
and find its value.
(c) 1 g of water in the vapour state at 1 atm occupies 1601cm3 . Estimate
the inter-molecular distance at boiling point, in the vapour state.
(d) During vaporisation a molecule overcomes a force F, assumed
constant, to go from an inter-molecular distance d to d¢. Estimate the
value of F.
(e) Calculate F / d, which is a measure of the surface tension.
Ans. (a) Given , Lv = 540 kcal kg -1
= 540 ´ 103 cal kg -1 = 540 ´ 103 ´ 4.2 J kg -1
Q Energy required to evaporate 1 kg of water = Lv kcal
\ M A kg of water requires M A Lv kcal [Q Q = mL]
Since, there are NA molecules in M A kg of water the energy required for 1 molecule to
evaporate is
M L
U= A vJ [where NA = 6 ´ 1026 = Avogadro number]
NA
18 ´ 540 ´ 4.2 ´ 103
= J
6 ´ 1026
= 90 ´ 18 ´ 4.2 ´ 10-23 J
= 6.8 ´ 10-20J
 (b) Let the water molecules to be points and are separated at distance d from each other.
MA é Mù
Volume of NA molecule of water = êQ V = r ú
rw ë û
MA
Thus, the volume around one molecule is =
NA r w

The volume around one molecule is

d 3 = (M A / NA rw )
1/ 3 1/ 3
æ MA ö æ 18 ö
\ d = çç ÷
÷ = çç 26 3
÷
÷
è NA r w ø è 6 ´ 10 ´ 10 ø
(30 ´ 10-30 )1/ 3 m » 31
. ´ 10-10 m
(c) Q 1 kg of vapour occupies volume = 1601 ´ 10-3 m3
\18 kg of vapour occupies 18 ´ 1601 ´ 10-3 m3
6 ´ 1026 molecules occupies 18 ´ 1601 ´ 10-3 m3
18 ´ 1601 ´ 10-3
\1 molecule occupies m3
6 ´ 1026
If d is the inter- molecular distance, then
d13 = (3 ´ 1601 ´ 10 -29
) m3
\ d1 = (30 ´ 1601)1/ 3 ´ 10-10 m
= 36.3 ´ 10-10 m
(d) Work done to change the distance from d to d1 is = F(d1 - d )
This work done is equal to energy required to evaporate 1 molecule.
\ F(d1 - d ) = 6.8 ´ 10-20
6.8 ´ 10-20
or F=
d1 - d
6.8 ´ 10-20
=
(36.3 ´ 10-10 - 31
. ´ 10-10 )
= 2.05 ´ 10-11N
F 2 .05 ´ 10-11
(e) Surface tension = = = 6.6 ´ 10-2 N/m.
d . ´ 10-10
31

Q. 23 A hot air balloon is a sphere of radius 8 m. The air inside is at a

temperature of 60°C. How large a mass can the balloon lift when the
outside temperature is 20°C? Assume air in an ideal gas, R = 8.314 J
mole -1K -1 , 1 atm = 1.013 ´ 10 5 Pa, the membrane tension is 5 Nm -1 .
K Thinking Process
Pressure inside the curved surface will be greater than of outside pressure.
Ans. Let the pressure inside the balloon be pi and the outside pressure be po , then excess
2S
pressure is pi - po = .
r
where, S = Surface tension
r = radius of balloon
po

pi

Balloon
Considering the air to be an ideal gas pi V = ni RTi where, V is the volume of the air inside the
balloon, ni is the number of moles inside and Ti is the temperature inside, and po V = no RTo
where V is the volume of the air displaced and no is the number of moles displaced and To is
the temperature outside.
pV M
So. ni = i = i
RTi M A
where, M i is the mass of air inside and M A is the molar mass of air
pV M
and no = o = o
RTo MA
where, Mo is the mass of air outside that has been displaced. If w is the load it can raise,
then w + M i g = Mo g
Þ w = Mo g - M i g
As in atmosphere 21% O 2 and 79% N2 -is present
\Molar mass of air
. ´ 28 = 28.84 g.
M i = 0.21 ´ 32 + 079
\Weight raised by the balloon
w = (Mo - M i ) g
M V æp pö
Þ w = A çç o - i ÷÷ g
R è To Ti ø
4
0.02884 ´ p ´ 83 ´ 9.8
3 æ 1013
ç . ´ 105 1013
. ´ 105 2 ´ 5 ö÷
= ç - -
8.314 è 293 333 8 ´ 313 ÷ø
4
0.02884 p ´ 83
3 æ 1 1 ö
= ´ 1013
. ´ 105 ç - ÷ ´ 9.8
8.314 è 293 333 ø
= 3044.2 N
w 3044.2
\ Mass lifted by the balloon = = » 304.42 kg.
g 10
» 305 kg.