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JEE Advanced 2005 · Mechanical Properties of Fluids

A U tube is rotated about one of it's limbs with an angular velocity ω\omega. Find the difference in height HH of the liquid (density ρ\rho) level, where diameter of the tube d<<Ld << L.

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Written solution

Step 1: Set up the pressure gradient equation.

In the rotating frame of reference, the centrifugal force creates a radial pressure gradient along the horizontal section of the tube.

dPdr=ρω2r\frac{dP}{dr} = \rho \omega^2 r

Step 2: Integrate to find the pressure difference between the limbs.

Integrate the pressure gradient from the axis of rotation at r=0r = 0 to the outer limb at r=Lr = L.

ΔP=∫0Lρω2r dr\Delta P = \int_0^{L} \rho \omega^2 r \, dr ΔP=12ρω2L2\Delta P = \frac{1}{2} \rho \omega^2 L^2

Step 3: Relate the pressure difference to the height difference.

The pressure difference ΔP\Delta P is balanced by the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid column of height HH.

ΔP=ρgH\Delta P = \rho g H

Step 4: Solve for the height difference HH.

Equate the two expressions for the pressure difference.

ρgH=12ρω2L2\rho g H = \frac{1}{2} \rho \omega^2 L^2 H=ω2L22gH = \frac{\omega^2 L^2}{2g}

Answer: The difference in height is H=ω2L22gH = \dfrac{\omega^2 L^2}{2g}.

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