# Kinda lost

1. Apr 20, 2007

### brittt

Kinda lost....plz help !!

Hello,

There's this basic problem in thermodynamics that I'm stuck on. The question is

Fluid 'A' is water and 'B' is mercury. Determind the value of 'h' if the pressure at 'X' is 138 kN/m2 and 'a' is 1.5m
rhow = 1000 kg/m3
rhom = 13600 kg/m3

The main equation used is:
Absolute pressure = Gauge pressure + atmospheric pressure
Gauge pressure = rho * g * h

The value that you're supposed to get is 1.145m. Please help, I'm stuck on it for hours now and i'm sure its somethin basic that i've forgotten.

Here's a figure that might help with the problem:

http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s300/br1ttt/?action=view&current=thermo.jpg

Many thanks,
-Brittt

Last edited: Apr 20, 2007
2. Apr 21, 2007

### Aero Stud

You have atmospheric pressure outside, you have pressure X that's a bit higher in the vessel. Now just find the height difference (h-a) that corresponds to the pressure difference according to the formula you already wrote above.

3. Apr 21, 2007

### FredGarvin

The given info is where you need to start. At X you have a given static pressure. Then you travel down the U tube to the bottom of dimension A. At that point, for the water you have the combination of the pressure at X and the rho*g*a contribution. That will give you a new static pressure at that point. At the point that coincides with the bottom of dimensions A and H, the pressure has to be equal. So you take your new pressure that you just calculated and set that equal to the rho*g*h for the mercury to calculate h.

4. Apr 21, 2007

### brittt

If i calculate as per your instructions, it would be:
X + rho * g * a
138 + 1000 * 9.81 * 1.5
14853 N/m2

Now,
14853 = rho * g * h
h = 14853 / rho * g
h = 14853 / (13600 *9.81)
Therefore, h = 0.111328

But the solution is 1.145m :(

Thanks for trying to help...any other ideas?

Cheers,
-Brittt

5. Apr 21, 2007

### brittt

In order to find the height difference, we need to know both the a and h, and 'h' is what we're expected to calculate.

6. Apr 21, 2007

### Aero Stud

You have 138 KN/m^2=138,000 N/m^2 or 138 kPa. Put it in what you wrote already and you get the answer.

p.s. Your drawing doesn't make clear which material is where, so at first I thought you have water only in the ball so it didn't matter.

7. Apr 21, 2007

### FredGarvin

The pressure at X is in kPa, NOT Pa. Your units are incorrect by a factor of 1000.

$$h=\frac{138x10^3 + (9.81*1000*1.5)}{9.81*13.6x10^3}$$

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