THE NAIROBI NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC.
DEPARTMENT: MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING.
COURSE: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LEVEL 6.
SUBJECT: APPLY FLUIDS MECHANICS PRINCIPLES
CLASS: MECPL/SEPT/2023L6-B
MECPR/SEPT/2023L6 A
EXAM TYPE: END OF TERM 2 2025
DATE: JULY 2025 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
1. This paper has two Sections A and B.
2. You are provided with a separate answer booklet.
3. Marks for each question are as indicated.
4. Do not write on the question paper.
SECTION A (40 Marks)
Answer ALL questions in this section.
1. Define the following terminologies as applied in viscous flow
a) Co-efficient of viscosity,
b) Mass density
c) Specific volume
d) kinematic viscosity. (4 Marks)
2. Highlight FOUR minor energy losses in fluid flow through pipes. (4 Marks)
3. List TWO formulae that are used to calculate the loss of head due to friction in pipe
flow. (2 Marks)
4. Identify and define any FOUR physical quantities as used in fluid mechanics.
(4 Marks)
5. Enumerate different laws on which models are designed for dynamic similarity.
Where are they used? (5 Marks)
6. Fluid motion in a streamline flow is influenced by changes in pressure, velocity, and
elevation. State Bernoulli’s theorem. (2 Marks)
7. A fluid in motion possesses various forms of energies or heads of a fluid flowing in
pipes. Outline the THREE forms of mechanical energy that a flowing fluid possesses
(3 Marks)
8. Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique which makes use of the study of the
dimensions for solving several Engineering problems. Outline THREE uses of
dimensional analysis in fluid mechanics. (3 Marks)
9. The behaviour of fluids can be broadly categorized into two types: laminar flow and
turbulent flow. With aid of a sketch, differentiate between a laminar and a turbulent
flow. (4 Marks)
10. Distinguish between mass flow rate and discharge. (2 Marks)
11. The dimensionless numbers are obtained by dividing the inertia force by viscous
force, gravity force, pressure force or surface tension force. Describe the following
dimensionless numbers. (3 Marks)
a. Reynolds’s number
b. Froude’s number
c. Mach’s number
12. The dynamic viscosity of an oil, used for lubrication between a shaft and sleeve is 6
poise. The shaft is of diameter 0.4 m and rotates at 190 r.p.m. Calculate the power lost
in the bearing for a sleeve length of 90mm. The thickness of the oil film is 1.5 mm.
(4 Marks)
SECTION B (60 Marks)
Answer ALL questions from this section.
13. Show that the resistance R to the motion of a sphere of diameter D moving with a
uniform velocity V through a real fluid of density ρ and viscosity µ is given by:
(20 Marks)
14.
a. Water flows through a pipe of diameter 300 mm with a velocity of 5 m/s. If the
coefficient of friction is given by f =0.015+ 0.3 , where 𝑅𝑒 is the Reynolds
0.08
ℜ
number. Determine the head lost due to friction for a length of 10 m. Take
kinematic viscosity of water as 0.0001m2 s. (10 Marks)
b. Show that the head lost due to friction in a horizontal pipe of uniform cross
2
4 fL V
section is given by h f = ;
2 gd
Where ℎ𝑓 = loss of head due to friction,
V = velocity of flow,
L = length of pipe,
g = gravitational acceleration,
d = diameter of the pipe,
f = coefficient of friction. (10 Marks)
15.
a. A pipe of diameter 300 mm and length 3500 m is used for the transmission of
power by water. The total head at the inlet of the pipe is 500 m. Find the
maximum power available at the outlet of the pipe, if the value of f= 0.006.
(7 Marks)
b. The water is flowing through a pipe having diameters 300 mm and 200 mm at the
bottom and upper end respectively. The intensity of pressure at the bottom end is
24.525 N/cm2 and the pressure at the upper end is 9.81 N/cm2. determine the
difference in datum head if the rate of flow through pipe is 40 litres/s.
(6 Marks)
c. A pipe 500mm diameter and 25 km long, transmits water at a velocity of 7.2km/h.
If the friction coefficient of the pipe is 0.008. Determine the head loss due to
friction. (7 Marks)
16.
a. A partially submerged body is towed in water. The resistance to its motion
depends on the density, ρ the viscosity of the water, μ length L , velocity V of the
body and acceleration due to gravity g . Show by dimensional analysis that the
resistance to motion can be expressed in the form (14 Marks)
F=ρ L V ∅ [ ℜ, Fr ]
2 2
where∅ =function of
ℜ=Reynold’s number
Fr =Froude number
b. A 1 :20 model of a motor boat is towed through fresh water. The prototype sailing
kg m
in sea water of mass density of 1025 3 at a velocity of 20 experiences a wave
m s
resistance of 800 N . Determine the:
i. Corresponding speed of the model;
ii. Wave resistance on the model. (6 Marks)
