Experiment No.

BERNOULLI’S THEOREM
Aim:
 To verify Bernoulli’s equation experimentally.
 To calculate the total energy per unit weight at different points.
 To plot the graph between total energy per unit weight Vs distance.

Introduction:
Energy presents in the form of pressure, velocity, and elevation in fluids with no energy
exchange due to viscous dissipation, heat transfer, or shaft work (pump or some other
device). The relationship among these three forms of energy was first stated by Daniel
Bernoulli, based upon the conservation of energy principle. Bernoulli’s theorem provides
a mathematical means to understanding the mechanics of fluids. It has many real-world
applications, ranging from understanding the aerodynamics of an airplane; calculating
wind load on buildings; designing water supply and sewer networks; measuring flow
using devices such as weirs and venturi meters etc.

Theory:
Bernoulli’s theorem state that when there is a continuous connection between particles
of flowing mass of liquid, the total energy at any section of flow will remain the same.
There is no reduction of energy at any point.

Bernoulli's principle can be derived from the Euler’s equation of motion. Euler’s equation
is valid for both incompressible and compressible which is given by

dp V 2
  gZ  0 .……….. (1)
 2
For inviscid and incompressible fluids (commonly called ideal fluids) equation (1)
becomes

p V2
  gZ = Constant along a streamline …….. (2)
 2

The above equation is valid for both rotational and irrotational flow. If the flow is
rotational, the constant on the right hand side of the equation (2) changes from one
streamline to another. Hence in this case, Bernoulli’s equation can be applied along a
given streamline only and not throughout the flow field. If the flow is irrotational the
Bernoulli’s equation can be applied between any two points in the flow field, as constant
remains same throughout the flow field.

So Bernoulli’s equation is valid for irrotational, incompressible, inviscid and steady flow.
This states that, in a steady flow, the sum of kinetic energy, potential energy
and pressure energy on all points along a streamline remains constant. Thus an
increase in the speed of the fluid occurs with a simultaneous decrease in its static
pressure and potential energy.

This equation is expressed as:

p1 V12 p V2
E    Z1  2  2  Z 2 …….. (3)
 g 2g  g 2g

It is a particular form of mechanical energy balance. Each term in this equation is a

scalar and has the dimensions of energy per unit weight, representing a mechanical

energy effect based on a unit weight of the flowing fluid. Terms Z and are the

potential and kinetic heads, respectively, of a unit weight of fluid; and represents the

mechanical work done by forces, external to the stream, on the fluid in pushing it into
the tube or the work recovered from the fluid leaving the tube. This equation shows that
in absence of friction, when the velocity is reduced either the height above datum or the
pressure or both must increase. When velocity increases, it does so only at the expense
of height or pressure.
Experimental Setup:
The experimental set-up shown in figure for Bernoulli’s theorem is self-contained re-
circulating unit. The set-up accompanies the sump tank, overhead tank, centrifugal
pump for water circulation. Control valve and by-pass valve is provided to regulate the
flow of water in constant head tank. A test section made of Perspex, of varying cross
section is provided, which is having converging and diverging section. Piezometer tubes
are fitted on this test section at specified points. The inlet of the conduit is connected to
overhead tank. Discharge through test section can be measured with the help of
measuring tank and stop watch.

Fig. Block Diagram of Bernoulli’s experiment

Requirements:
1) Electricity supply: single phase, 220 VAC, 50 Hz, 5-15 Amp Combined with earth
connection
2) Water supply (initial fill)
3) Floor drain required.
 Procedure:
1) Ensure that all on/off switches given on the panel are at off position

2) Close all the valves V1 to V5

3) Fill sump tank with water.

4) Open by-pass valve V2 given on the water supply line.

5) Switch on the main power supply & switch on pump.

6) Partially close by-pass valve V2 to allow water to fill in overhead tank.

7) Wait until overflow occurs from overhead tank.

8) Regulate flow of water through test section with the help of control valve V1
provided at the end of test section.

9) Ensure that the overflow still occurs: if not partially close the by-pass valve V2 to do
so.

10) Measure pressure head by piezometer tubes.

11) Measure flow rate of water using measuring tank and stop watch.

12) Repeat steps (8) to (11) for different flow rate of water.

Precautions:
1) Always use clear water.

2) Always keep apparatus free from dust.

3) If pump gets heated up, switch off the pump for 30 minutes

4) Drain the apparatus completely after experimentation.

Observation:
Data:
Area of measuring tank A =0.077 m2
Sr. No. of test Dia. Of test point Cross sectional area at Distance of test point
points d (mm) test point a (m2) from reference point
(d1-d7) (a1-a7) S (m)
(S1-S7)
1 28.0 6.16 E-4 0.04
2 23.5 4.34 E-4 0.0785
3 18.5 2.69 E-4 0.092
4 14.0 1.54 E-4 0.1105
5 18.5 2.69 E-4 0.13585
6 23.5 4.34 E-4 0.1562
7 28.0 6.16 E-4 0.19155

Observation Table:
S.No. R1 R2 T H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7
(cm) (cm) (Sec) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Calculations:

R1  R2
Rise of water level in measuring tank: R (m)
100
A R
Discharge through test section: Q  (m3/sec)
t
Q
Velocity of fluid at test point i: Vi  (m/sec)
ai

pi H
Pressure head at point i:  i (m)
 g 100

pi Vi 2
Total energy per unit weight at point i: Ei  
 g 2g
Results:
1. Calculate the total energy at each of the seven points.

2. Plot the graph for total energy v/s distance.

3. Plot the graph for pressure head v/s distance and velocity head v/s distance on
the same page.

Sources of errors:

Report the possible sources of error found in the experiment and the observations.
Discuss exactly how these affect the experimental data (i.e. Will the readings be larger
or will be they smaller due to the presence of a particular source).

Discussion:
1) Comment if the total energy is constant or decreasing. Discuss the possible
reasons for disagreement with the theory.

2) Derive Bernoulli’s equation by directly using Newton’s second law. (Hint: Perform
force balance on a fluid particle in the streamline direction and integrate the
resultant differential equation along the streamline)

3) Discuss here how is Navier-Stokes equation related to the Bernoulli’s equation.

4) Give five applications of Bernoulli’s equation.

Reference:
 Streeter Victor L. Wylie, Benjamin (1983) .Fluid Mechanics .1st Ed. MC Graw
Hill .Pp n101-104.