Quiz FM109

Flow Over Immersed Surfaces

Lucas Montogue

PROBLEMS
u Problem 1 (Munson et al., 2009, w/ permission)
In two different experiments, air and water flow over an object that has
the same shape in both experiments. It is found that the drag coefficient on each
of the objects is the same for both the air and water flow. For the same velocity,
A) the drag force in the water flow is about equal to that for the airflow.
B) the drag force in the water flow is about 10 times that for the airflow.
C) the drag force in the water flow is about 100 times that for the airflow.
D) the drag force in the water flow is about 1000 times that for the airflow.

u Problem 2 (White, 2003, w/ permission)

A thin flat plate 55 by 110 cm is immersed in a 6-m/s stream of SAE 10 oil
at 20oC. Compute the total friction drag if the stream is parallel to the long side
of the plate. Use 𝜌𝜌oil = 891 kg/m3 and 𝜇𝜇 = 0.29 kg/m∙s.

A) F = 181 N
B) F = 218 N
C) F = 250 N
D) F = 283 N

u Problem 3 (White, 2003, w/ permission)

A smooth flat plate of length ℓ = 6 m and width b = 4 m is placed in water
with an upstream velocity of U = 0.5 m/s. Determine the boundary layer thickness
and the wall shear stress at the center of the plate. Use 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 = 1000 kg/m3 and 𝜇𝜇 =
1.12×10-3 kg/m∙s.
A) 𝛿𝛿 = 1.3 cm and 𝜏𝜏𝑤𝑤 = 0.0716 N/m2
B) 𝛿𝛿 = 1.3 cm and 𝜏𝜏𝑤𝑤 = 0.1012 N/m2
C) 𝛿𝛿 = 2.1 cm and 𝜏𝜏𝑤𝑤 = 0.0716 N/m2
D) 𝛿𝛿 = 2.1 cm and 𝜏𝜏𝑤𝑤 = 0.1012 N/m2

u Problem 4 (White, 2003, w/ permission)

Suppose you buy a 2.44-m-long sheet of plywood and put it on your roof
rack. You drive home at 67 mi/h. Assuming the board is perfectly aligned with the
airflow, how thick is the boundary layer at the end of the board? Also, estimate
the drag on the sheet of plywood if the boundary layer remains turbulent. Use 𝜌𝜌 =
1.23 kg/m3 and 𝜇𝜇 = 1.8×10-5 kg/m∙s.

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A) 𝛿𝛿 = 18.6 mm and FD = 11.3 N
B) 𝛿𝛿 = 18.6 mm and FD = 22.5 N
C) 𝛿𝛿 = 43.1 mm and FD = 11.3 N
D) 𝛿𝛿 = 43.1 mm and FD = 22.5 N

u Problem 5 (Munson et al., 2009, w/ permission)

It is often assumed that “sharp objects can cut through the air better
than blunt ones.” Based on this assumption, the drag on the object shown below
should be less when the wind blows from right to left than when it blows from
left to right. Experiments show that the opposite is true. Explain.

u Problem 6 (White, 2003, w/ permission)

Consider the smooth square 10 cm by 10 cm duct illustrated below. The
fluid is air at 20oC and 1 atm, flowing at V = 24 m/s. It is desired to increase the
pressure drop over the 1-m length by adding sharp 8-mm long flat plates across
the duct as shown. Estimate how many plates are needed to create a 100 Pa
pressure drop. Use 𝜌𝜌 = 1.23 kg/m3 and 𝜈𝜈 = 1.5×10-5 m2/s.

A) Nplates = 123
B) Nplates = 151
C) Nplates = 180
D) Nplates = 209

u Problem 7 (White, 2003, w/ permission)

Consider laminar flow past the square-plate arrangements shown in the
figure below. Comparing to the drag D1 of a single plate, how much larger is the
drag of the four plates D2 and D3 for the other two arrangements?

A) D2 = 1.73D1 and D3 = 2D1

B) D2 = 1.73D1 and D3 = 4D1
C) D2 = 2.83D1 and D3 = 2D1
D) D2 = 2.83D1 and D3 = 4D1

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u Problem 8 (Çengel & Cimbala, 2014, w/ permission)
The weight of a thin flat plate 50 cm × 50 cm in size is balanced by a
counterweight that has a mass of 2 kg, as shown. Now a fan is turned on, and air
at 1 atm and 25oC flows downward over both surfaces of the plate (front and back
in the sketch) with a free-stream velocity of 10 m/s. Determine the mass of the
counterweight that needs to be added in order to balance the plate. Use 𝜈𝜈 =
1.56×10-5 m2/s.

A) 𝑚𝑚 = 7 g
B) 𝑚𝑚 = 12 g
C) 𝑚𝑚 = 17 g
D) 𝑚𝑚 = 22 g

u Problem 9 (Munson et al., 2009, w/ permission)

A kayak is a relatively streamlined object. As a first approximation in
calculating the drag on a kayak, assume that the kayak acts as if it were a smooth,
flat plate 17 ft long and 2 ft wide. Determine the drag as a function of speed and
compare your results with the measured values given in the figure below.
Comment on the reasons why the two sets of values may differ. Use 𝜌𝜌 = 1.94
slugs/m3.

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u Problem 10 (Munson et al., 2009, w/ permission)
As shown in the figure below, the aerodynamic drag on a truck can be
reduced by the use of appropriate air deflectors. A reduction in drag coefficient
from CD = 0.96 to CD = 0.70 corresponds to a reduction in how many horsepower
needed at a highway speed of 65 mph? Use 𝜌𝜌air = 2.38×10-3 slugs/ft3.

A) Δ𝑃𝑃 = 10.4 hp
B) Δ𝑃𝑃 = 25.2 hp
C) Δ𝑃𝑃 = 43.1 hp
D) Δ𝑃𝑃 = 58.4 hp

u Problem 11 (Munson et al., 2009, w/ permission)

Water flows past a triangular flat plate oriented parallel to the free
stream as shown. Integrate the wall shear stress over the plate to determine the
friction drag on one side of the plate. Assume laminar boundary layer flow. Use 𝜌𝜌
= 999 kg/m3 and 𝜇𝜇 = 1.12×10-3 kg/m∙s.

A) D = 0.0188 N
B) D = 0.0296 N
C) D = 0.0377 N
D) D = 0.0495 N

u Problem 12 (Çengel & Cimbala, 2014, w/ permission)

A 2-m long, 0.2-m diameter pine log (density = 513 kg/m3) is suspended by
a crane in the horizontal position. The log is subjected to normal winds at 40
km/h at 5oC and 88 kPa. Disregarding the weight of the cable and its drag,
determine the angle 𝜃𝜃 the cable will make with the horizontal. Use 𝜌𝜌 = 1.1 kg/m3
and 𝜇𝜇 = 1.75×10-5 kg/m∙s.

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A) 𝜃𝜃 = 74o
B) 𝜃𝜃 = 79o
C) 𝜃𝜃 = 84o
D) 𝜃𝜃 = 89o
u Problem 13 (Munson et al., 2009, w/ permission)
A hot-air balloon roughly spherical in shape has a volume of 70,000 ft3
and a weight of 500 lb (including passengers, basket, balloon fabric, etc.). The
outside temperature is 80oF and the temperature within the balloon is 165oF.
Estimate the rate at which the balloon will rise under steady-state conditions if
the atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi. Use 𝜌𝜌air = 2.286×10-3 slugs/ft3 and R = 53.3
ft-lbf/lb∙R.

A) 𝑈𝑈 = 12.2 ft/s
B) 𝑈𝑈 = 16.1 ft/s
C) 𝑈𝑈 = 20.4 ft/s
D) 𝑈𝑈 = 24.3 ft/s

u Problem 14 (Çengel & Cimbala, 2014, w/ permission)

A wind turbine with two or four hollow hemispherical cups connected to
a pivot is commonly used to measure wind speed. Consider a wind turbine with
four 8-cm diameter cups with a center-to-center distance of 40 cm, as shown in
the figure below. The pivot is stuck as a result of some malfunction, and the cups
stop rotating. For a wind speed of 15 m/s and air density of 1.25 kg/m3, determine
the maximum torque this turbine applies on the pivot.

A) 𝑀𝑀max = 0.087 N∙m

B) 𝑀𝑀max = 0.113 N∙m
C) 𝑀𝑀max = 0.145 N∙m
D) 𝑀𝑀max = 0.178 N∙m

C Problem 15A (Çengel & Cimbala, 2014, w/ permission)

To reduce the drag coefficient and thus to improve the fuel efficiency of
cars, the design of side rearview mirrors has changed drastically in recent
decades from a simple circular plate to a streamlined shape. Determine the
amount money lost per year as a result of withstanding the drag due to a 13-cm-
diameter flat mirror, as shown in the figure. Assume the car is driven 24,000 km a
year at an average speed of 95 km/h. Take the density and price of gasoline to be
0.75 kg/L and $0.90/L, respectively; the heating value of gasoline to be 44,000
kJ/kg; and the overall efficiency of the engine to be 30 percent. Use 𝜌𝜌air = 1.20
kg/m³.

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A) Cost = $1.21/year
B) Cost = $6.88/year
C) Cost = $13.33/year
D) Cost = $18.46/year

C Problem 15B
Determine the amount of money saved per year as a result of replacing a
13-cm-diameter flat mirror by one with a hemispherical back, as shown in the
figure.

A) Money saved = $2.43/year

B) Money saved = $4.67/year
C) Money saved = $6.75/year
D) Money saved = $8.48/year

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Figure 1 Friction drag coefficient for a flat plate parallel to the upstream flow.

Figure 2 Drag coefficient as a function of Reynolds number for a smooth circular

cylinder and a smooth sphere.

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 Figure 3 Drag coefficient for specific shapes.

SOLUTIONS
P.1CSolution
Recall that the drag force exerted on a surface immersed in a fluid is
given by

1
=F ρV 2 A × CD
2
where 𝜌𝜌 is the density of the fluid, V is the velocity of flow, A is the cross-
sectional area, and CD is the drag coefficient. Considering flow across the same
body with the same velocity, we must have, in each case,

1 2 Fair
F=
air ρairV 2 A × CD ,air → CD=
,air
2 ρairV 2 A
1 2 Fwater
Fwater
= ρ waterV 2 A × CD ,water → CD ,water
=
2 ρ waterV 2 A

In order for the drag coefficient to be the same in both the air and water
flow, we must have

2 Fair 2 Fwater
CD ,air CD ,water →
= =
ρair V A2
ρ water V 2 A
Fair Fwater
∴ =
ρair ρ water
ρ
∴ Fwater =water
Fair
ρair

Since 𝜌𝜌water ≈ 1000 kg/m3 and 𝜌𝜌air ≈ 1.2 kg/m3, we obtain

ρ water 1000
Fwater = Fair → Fwater = × Fair = 833.3Fair
ρair 1.2

That is, the drag force exerted by the water flow must be over 800 times,
or nearly a thousand times, greater than the force of the air flow.

c The correct ans1wer is D.

P.2CSolution
The characteristic length of the flat plate is 𝐿𝐿 = 110 cm. The Reynolds
number for the flow in question is then

ρUL 891× 6 ×1.1

Re
= = = 20,300
µ 0.29

We conclude that the flow is laminar. The equation used to compute the
drag coefficient is, in this case,

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 −1 2 1.328
=CD 1.328Re
= = 0.00932
( 20,300 )
0.5

Substituting this quantity and other pertaining variables in the equation

for the friction drag, we obtain

ρU 2 891× 62
F = CD × × 2bL= 0.00932 × × 2 × 0.55 ×1.1= 181 N
2 2

c The correct answer is A.

P.3CSolution
The boundary layer thickness for laminar flow can be obtained with the
equation

νx
δ =5
U

Substituting the appropriate variables, we express the boundary layer

thickness as a function of the horizontal coordinate x,

1.12 ×10−6 × x
=δ ( x ) 5= 0.00748 x 0.5
0.5

Substituting x = 3 m gives

δ (=
3) 0.00748 × 3=
0.5
0.013m
= 1.3 cm

The wall shear stress for laminar flow can be obtained with the equation

ρµ
τ w = 0.332U 3 2
x

Substituting the necessary variables, we can express the wall shear as a

function of the horizontal coordinate x,

1000 ×1.12 ×10−3 0.124

τ w ( x) = 0.332 × 0.53 2 × =
x x 0.5

Then, with x = 3 m, we find that

0.124
w ( 3)
τ= = 0.0716 N m 2
3
c The correct answer is A.

P.4CSolution
We begin by converting U = 67 mi/h = 30 m/s. The Reynolds number is

ρUL 1.23 × 30 × 2.44

Re= = = 5 × 106
µ 1.8 × 10 −5

Assuming turbulent flow, the thickness of the boundary layer is

0.16 L 0.16 × 2.44

=δ = = 0.0431
= m 43.1 mm
( 5 ×106 )
17
Re1 7

It remains to evaluate the boundary layer drag for turbulent flow. This
can be obtained with the expression

 
ρU 2 0.031  1.23 × 302
=FD CD = A  × × ( 2.44 × 1.22
= × 2 ) 11.3 N
2  ( 5 × 106 )1 7  2
 

c The correct answer is C.

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P.5CSolution
A significant portion of the drag on an object can be from the relatively
low pressure developed in the wake region behind the object. By making the
object streamlined (i.e., flow from left to right, not right to left in the foregoing
figure), boundary layer separation is avoided and a relatively thin wake with low
drag is obtained. Whether the front of the object is “sharp” or “blunt” does not
affect the contribution to drag from the front part of the body – at least not as
much as the width of the wake affects the drag.

P.6CSolution
To estimate the plate-induced pressure drag, we first calculate the drag
coefficient on one plate,

24 × 0.008 1.328
Re
= = 12,800 → C=
D = 0.0117
1.5 ×10−5 12,800

The corresponding drag force is

ρV 2 1.23 × 242
FD = CD × × 2bL= 0.0117 × × 2 × 0.1× 0.008= 0.00663N
2 2
Since the duct walls must support these plates, the effect is an additional
pressure drop,

FN plates 100 × 0.12

∆pextra =100 = → N plates = = 151
Aduct 0.00663

That is to say, more than 150 plates are needed to create a pressure drop
of 100 pascals.

c The correct answer is B.

P.7CSolution
The formula for drag coefficient in laminar flow is 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 = 1.328⁄Re1⁄2 ,
whence we have the proportion 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 ∝ 𝐿𝐿−1⁄2. Thus, given an arbitrary constant k, it
follows that

k 4 kA1 kA
D2 = × 4 A1 = = 2 2 1= 2.83D1
2 L1 2 L1 L
1
= D1

k kA
D3 = × 4 A1 = 2 1 = 2 D1
4 L1 L1

c The correct answer is C.

P.8CSolution
The Reynolds number for this flow field is

VL 10 × 0.5
Re
= = = 3.21×105
ν 1.56 ×10−5

The average drag coefficient is

1.328 1.328
CD
= = = 0.002344
Re0.5 ( 3.21×10 )
5 0.5

The drag force exerted on the plate is

ρV 2 1.18 × 102
FD = CD × × A = 0.00234 × × ( 2 × 0.5 × 0.5 ) = 0.069 N
2 2

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 The mass whose weight is 0.069 N is

FD 0.069
m
= = = 0.007 kg
= 7g
g 9.81

The mass of the counterweight must be 7 grams to counteract the drag

force acting on the plate.

c The correct answer is A.

P.9CSolution
The area of the flat plate that represents the kayak is A = 17×2 = 34 ft2.
Given the length L = 17 ft and the kinematic viscosity 𝜈𝜈 = 1.21×10-5 ft2/s, the
Reynolds number is determined as

UL 17 × U
Re
= = = 1.405 × 106U (I)
ν (1.21×10 )−5

In the range of interest, the speed varies from U = 1 ft/s to U = 8 ft/s, and
the Reynolds number accordingly varies from Re = 1.405×106 to Re = 1.124×107.
From Figure 1, we verify that this range of Reynolds numbers is in the transitional
range. Consequently, the drag coefficient can be determined with the relation

0.455 1700
=CD , f −
( log Re )
2.58
Re

or, replacing Re with equation (I),

0.455 1700
=CD , f − (II)
log (1.405 × 106U ) 
2.58
1.405 × 106U
 
Since the drag force is given by

1
=D ρU 2 A × CD , f
2
we have, using equation (II) and substituting the adequate variables,

 
1  0.455 1700 
D = × 1.94 × U 2 × 34 ×  − 
 log (1.405 × 10 U ) 
2.58 6
2 6 1.405 × 10 U 
 
 
 0.455 1700 
=∴ D 32.98  − 
 log (1.405 × 106 U ) 
2.58 6
1.405 × 10 U 
 
This expression provides the drag force as a function of the flow velocity
U. The following table provides the drag force as a function of speed in the range
of interest, U ∈ [1, 8] ft/s.

U (ft/s) D (lb)
1 0.0986
2 0.41
3 0.909
4 1.58
5 2.42
6 3.43
7 4.59
8 5.9
These values are then plotted along with the experimental data, as
shown.

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 The actual kayak does not act as a smooth flat plate and friction plays a
part. As a result, there is a mild shift from the obtained values to the measured
values.

P.10CSolution
The velocity of the truck in ft/s is U = 65 × 5280/3600 = 95.33 ft/s. We
compute the drag force D1 acting on the truck without the air deflector,

1 1
D1= CD ,1 × ρU 2 A= 0.70 × × ( 2.38 ×10−3 ) × 95.332 × (12 ×10 )= 908.4lb
2 2
The horsepower at the initial state is

1hp
P1 = DU
1 =908.4 × 95.33 × =157.5 hp
550lb ⋅ ft/s

Then, we calculate the drag force acting on the truck at the final state, D2,

1 1
D2= CD ,2 × ρU 2 A= 0.96 × × ( 2.38 ×10−3 ) × 95.332 × (12 ×10 )= 1245.8 lb
2 2
The corresponding horse power at the final state is

1 hp
P2 = D2U = 1245.8 × 95.33 × = 215.9 hp
550lb ⋅ ft/s

Accordingly, the reduction in horse power is

∆P = P2 − P1 = 215.9 − 157.5 = 58.4 hp

c The correct answer is D.

P.11CSolution
Consider the following diagram.

To obtain the equation of line bc, we write

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 y − yb x − xb
=
yc − yb xc − xb
y−0 x − 0.5
∴ =
0.5 − 0 0 − 0.5
y x − 0.5
∴ =
0.5 −0.5
∴ − y= x − 0.5
∴x+ y =0.5

The friction drag can be obtained with the integral

3
ρµ
=D ∫=
τ w dA ∫ 0.332U 2
x
dA

3
=x 0.5 =y 0.5 − x 1
=∴ D 0.332U 2 ρµ × 2 ∫ ∫ dydx
0 0
 x
= 0.471

3
=∴ D 0.332U 2 ρµ × 2 × 0.471
3 3
= 0.313U 2 ρµ= 0.313 × 0.2 2 × 999 × 1.12 × 10−=
∴D 3
0.0296 N

c The correct answer is B.

P.12CSolution
The solution is started by calculating the Reynolds number,

Re
=
ρVD 1.1×
=
40 (
× 0.2
3.6 = 139,700 )
µ 1.75 ×10−5

Resorting to Figure 2, the drag coefficient that corresponds to this value

of Re is 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 = 1.2. Noting that the frontal area for flow past the cylinder is 𝐴𝐴 = 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿,
the drag force FD imparted on the log is calculated as

ρV 2 1.1×11.112
FD = CD × × A = 1.2 × × ( 2 × 0.2 ) = 32.6 N
2 2
The weight of the log is

π D2 L π × 0.22 × 2
W = mg = ρ g = 513 × 9.81× = 316.2 N
4 4
The angle that the resultant force (and, as a consequence, the cable)
makes with the horizontal follows as

W 316.2
tan θ = = = 9.699 → θ = 84o
FD 32.6

Drawing a free body diagram of the log and doing a force balance will
show that the magnitude of the tension on the cable must be equal to the
resultant force acting on the log. Therefore, the cable makes 84o with the
horizontal.

c The correct answer is C.

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P.13CSolution
The free body diagram for the balloon is shown in continuation.

The force due to buoyancy is

FB= ρair gV= ( 2.286 ×10 ) × 32.2 × 70,000=

−3
5152.6 lb

The density of the balloon can be obtained from the ideal gas law,

 pound in.2 
 14.7 × 144 
p  in.2 ft 2 
ρb =
= = 0.0636 lbm ft 3
RT 53.3 ft-lbf lb ⋅ R × (165 + 459.67 R )
lbm 1 slug
∴ ρb= 0.0636 3
× = 1.975 ×10−3 slug ft 3
ft 32.2 lbm

The corresponding specific weight is

γ b = ρb g = (1.975 ×10−3 ) × 32.2 = 0.0636lb/ft 3

The total weight of the balloon and its accompanying load is

W = 500 + γ bV = 500 + 0.0636 × 70,000 = 4952lb

The radius of the balloon (considered a sphere) is

1
4 3  3 × 70,000  3
π=
R 70,000 →=
R  =  25.57 ft
3  4π 

Now, the drag force is given by

1
D= ρU 2CD A
2
1
∴ D = × ( 2.286 ×10−3 ) × (π × 25.57 2 ) U 2CD
2
2.348U 2CD
∴D =

Applying an equilibrium of forces in the y-direction gives

ΣFy =0 → FB − W − D =0
∴ FB = W + D

Substituting FB = 5152.6 lb, W = 4952 lb and D = 2.348U2CD, we obtain

= 4952 + 2.348U 2CD

5156.6
∴ 2.348U 2CD =
200.6
∴U 2CD =
85.43

85.43
∴U = (I)
CD

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 Next, we compute the Reynolds number,

UD U × 2 R U × 2 × 25.57
Re
= = = = 3.026 ×105U (II)
ν ν 1.69 ×10 −4

The velocity of the balloon can be computed by trial-and-error in

equations (I) and (II), along with the data available in Figure 2. Assume the value of
𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 is 0.5. Substituting in equation (I) yields

85.43
=U = 13.1ft/s
( 0.5)
Substituting in equation (II), then, it follows that

Re = 3.026 ×105 × (13.1) = 39.6 ×105 = 3.96 ×106

Using Figure 2, we see that 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 ≈ 0.21 when Re = 3.96×106. However, the
assumed value of CD was 0.5; the values do not match, and another trial is in
order. In a second trial, suppose that 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 = 0.21. Substituting in the equation for U
gives

85.43
=U = 20.2ft/s
( 0.21)
Substituting this quantity in the relation for Re, we obtain

Re = 3.026 ×105 × ( 20.2 ) = 6.11×106

Using Figure 2 as before, we obtain 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 ≈ 0.33. Again, the assumed value
of CD and the actual value do not match. In a third trial, suppose that 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 = 0.33.
Substituting in equation (I) gives

85.43
=U = 16.1ft/s
( 0.33)
Substituting this quantity into the relation for Re, we obtain

Re = 3.026 ×105 × (16.1) = 48.72 ×105 = 4.87 ×106

Using the same chart as before, we see that the drag coefficient is 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷 =
0.31. This is close enough to the assumed value of 0.33. We conclude that the
velocity of the balloon is 16.1 ft/s.

c The correct answer is B.

P.14CSolution
The drag coefficient for a hemispherical cup is 0.4 and 1.2 when the
hemispherical and plain surfaces are exposed to wind flow, respectively (see
Figure 3).

The maximum torque occurs when the cups are normal to the wind since
the length of the moment arm is maximum in this case. Noting that the frontal
area is 𝜋𝜋 𝐷𝐷2 ⁄4 for both cups, the drag force acting on each cup is determined to
be

1.25 × 152 π ( 0.08 )

2
ρV 2
Convex side: FD ,1 = CD ,1 × × A = 0.4 × × = 0.283N
2 2 4
1.25 × 152 π ( 0.08 )
2
ρV 2
Concave side: FD ,2 = CD ,2 × × A = 1.2 × × = 0.848 N
2 2 4

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 The moment arm for both forces is 20 cm. Taking moments about the
pivot, the net torque applied on the pivot is calculated as

M max = FD ,2 L − FD ,1L = ( FD ,2 − FD ,1 ) L = ( 0.848 − 0.283) × 0.20 = 0.113 N ⋅ m

The torque varies from zero when both cups are aligned with the wind to
the maximum value calculated above.

c The correct answer is B.

P.15CSolution
Part A: The drag coefficients are 1.1 for a circular disk and 0.40 for a
hemispherical body (Figure 3). The velocity of the vehicle expressed in m/s is 𝑈𝑈 =
95⁄3.6 = 26.4 m/s. The drag force acting on the flat mirror is

1.20 × 26.42 π ( 0.13)

2
ρU 2
FD ,flat CD ,flat
= 1.1×
A= × 6.11 N
=
2 2 4
Noting that work is force times distance, the amount of work done to
overcome this drag force and the required energy input for a distance of 24,000
km are, respectively,

Wdrag = F × L = 6.11× 24,000 = 146,640 kJ/year

Wdrag 146,640
Ein
= = = 488,800 kJ/year
ηcar 0.3

The amount and costs of the fuel that supplies this much energy are then

kJ kJ
488,800 / 44,000
mfuel Ein HV year kg
Amount of =
fuel = = = 14.81 L/year
ρfuel ρfuel 0.75 kg/L
L $0.90
Cost
= Amount of fuel × Unit cost
= 14.81 × = $13.33 / year
year L

That is, the car uses 14.81 L of gasoline at a cost of $13.33 per year to
overcome the drag generated by a flat mirror extending out from the side of the
vehicle.

c The correct answer is C.

Part B: The drag force and the work done to overcome it are directly
proportional to the drag coefficient. Then, the percent reduction in fuel
consumption due to replacing the mirror is equal to the percent reduction in the
drag coefficient, namely,

CD ,flat − CD ,hemisphere 1.1 − 0.4

Reduction
= ratio = = 0.636
CD ,flat 1.1
Amount reduction =
Reduction ratio × Amount =
0.636 × 14.79L/year =
9.41 L/year

Cost reduction = Reduction ratio × Cost = 0.636 × $13.33 / year = $8.48 / year

c The correct answer is D.

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ANSWER SUMMARY
Problem 1 D
Problem 2 A
Problem 3 A
Problem 4 C
Problem 5 Open-ended pb.
Problem 6 B
Problem 7 C
Problem 8 A
Problem 9 Open-ended pb.
Problem 10 D
Problem 11 B
Problem 12 C
Problem 13 B
Problem 14 B
15A C
Problem 15
15B D

REFERENCES
• ÇENGEL, Y. and CIMBALA, J. (2014). Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and
Applications. 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• MUNSON, B., YOUNG, D., OKIISHI, T., and HUEBSCH, W. (2009).
Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics. 6th edition. Hoboken: John Wiley and
Sons.
• WHITE, F. (2003). Fluid Mechanics. 5th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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