INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
B.Tech. Aerospace Engineering
AE213 FLUID MECHANICS
Assignment 2
Submission deadline: 2 September 2022
1. The Martian atmosphere behaves as an ideal gas with mean molecular mass of 32 and constant
temperature of 200 K. The atmospheric density at the planet surface is ρ=0.015 kg/m3and Martian
gravity is 3.02 m/s2. Calculate the density of the Martian atmosphere at height z=20 km above the
surface.
2. Blood pressure is commonly measured with a cuff placed around the arm, with the cuff pressure (which
is a measure of the arterial blood pressure) indicated with a mercury manometer. A typical value for
the maximum value of blood pressure (systolic pressure) is 120 mm Hg. Why wouldn’t it be simpler,
and cheaper, to use water in the manometer rather than mercury? Explain and support your answer
with the necessary calculations.
3. In Fig.1 all fluids are at 20oC. Determine the pressure difference between points A and B.
Figure 1:
4. Because of elevation differences, the water pressure in the second floor of your house is lower than
it is in the first floor. For tall buildings this pressure difference can become unacceptable. Discuss
possible ways to design the water distribution system in very tall buildings so that the hydrostatic
pressure difference is within acceptable limits.
5. The concrete (specific weight =150 lb/ft3) seawall of Fig.2 has a curved surface and restrains seawater
at a depth of 24 ft. The trace of the surface is a parabola as illustrated. Determine the moment of
the fluid force (per unit length) with respect to an axis through the toe (A).
6. A uniform wooden beam (SG =0.65) is 10 cm by 10 cm by 3m and is hinged at A, as in Fig.3. At
what angle θwill the beam float in the 20oC water?
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