ME3834FluidMechanics

Problem2.36

Problemstatement:

A block of mass M slides on a thin film of oil. The film thickness is h and the area of the
block is A. When released, mass m exerts tension on the cord, causing the block to
accelerate. Neglect friction in the pulley and air resistance. Develop an algebraic
expression for the viscous force that acts on the block when it moves at speed V. Derive
a differential equation for the block speed as a function of time. Obtain an expression for
the block speed as a function of time. The mass M=5Kg, m= 1Kg, A=25cm2, and
h=0.5mm. If it takes 1s for the speed to reach 1m/s, find the oil viscosity . Plot the
curve for V(t).

Given:

Block of mass: M=5Kg

Thickness of oil film: h=0.5mm=0.0005m.
Contact area of block: A=25cm2=25 10-4 m2
At time t=0, the tethered mass: m=1Kg
is released from the rest.

Find:

a) Expression of the viscous force that acts on the block.

b) Differential equation governing block speed as a function of time.
c) Expression for block speed V=V(t).
d) If V=1m/s at t=1s, find ; plot V(t).

Solution:

a) Assumptions: Newtonian fluid and linear velocity profile in oil film.

Basic equations: Newtons law of viscosity:

Newtons second law:

Expression of the viscous force:

b) Governing equations:

For the falling mass m: , with tension on the cord.

For the block:

Hence, , and finally,

1
 ME3834FluidMechanics
Problem2.36

c) Expression for block speed. By separating the variables of the previous equation, we
obtain

ln 1
1

Taking antilogarithms, we have: 1

The velocity increases exponentially to

d) If it takes 1s for the speed to reach 1m/s, the oil viscosity is

ln 1

5 10 1 / 25 10
5 1 ln 1
25 10 1 1 9.81 / 5 10
The solution is obtained through iteration choosing a guessed value, obtaining a
new one and repeating until the difference between successive values is bellow a
set tolerance:
1.29 . /