National University

551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila

Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

Name: Baldoz, Estrella, Florencio, Ogalesco Date: June 26, 2018

Group #: 1 Section: CIV153-A

EXPERIMENT # 1
BASIC FLUID PROPERTIES

I. OBJECTIVE

To familiarize with different fluid properties

To compute and compare the density, specific gravity, unit
weight and specific volume of different liquids.

II. APPARATUS
Triple Beam Balance
• The triple beam balance is an instrument used to
measure mass very precisely. The device has
reading error of +/- 0.05 gram.

Beaker
• A glass object used for holding fluids and chemicals
in a laboratory setting

Graduated Cylinder
• A graduated cylinder, measuring cylinder or
mixing cylinder is a common piece of laboratory
equipment used to measure the volume of a liquid.
It has a narrow cylindrical shape.

Vernier Caliper
• A linear measuring instrument consisting of a scaled
rule with a projecting arm at one end, to which is
attached a sliding vernier with a projecting arm that
forms a jaw with the other projecting arm.

Table 1.1 The functions and specifications of apparatus used in the

experiment.
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

III. THEORY

A fluid is a substance which

deforms when subjected to a
force. A fluid can offer no
permanent resistance to any
force causing change of shape.
Fluid can be categorized into
liquids and gases. Liquids occupy
definite volumes and gases will
expand to occupy any
containing vessel.

The density of a fluid is the ratio of its mass to its volume and the SI
unit is kg/m 3. Fluid density is temperature dependent. Water, being a
reference liquid, the density at 4° C at sea level is 1,000 kg/m 3 while at
50° C is 988 kg/m 3.
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

The relative density or specific gravity of a fluid is the ratio of a fluid

density to the density of a standard reference fluid maintained at the
same temperature and pressure.

𝜌𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝜌𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑: 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = =
𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑔𝑎𝑠: 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 = =
𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 1.205 𝑘𝑔
𝑚3

Unit weight or specific weight of a fluid is weight per unit volume.

It can be computed also as density of a fluid multiplied by acceleration
due to gravity.

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝛾= = 𝜌𝑔
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

Specific Volume is the volume occupied by a unit mass of fluid. It

is the reciprocal or density.

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 1
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = =
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝜌

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Clean the beaker with clean water, preferably through running

water, and wipe and dry it with a clean towel.
2. Measure and record its mass including cap. (Tare mass)
3. Fill beaker with liquid. Measure and record its mass.
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 for all liquids. Try other liquids available in the
laboratory room.
5. Tabulate all the acquired and computed data.

V. DATA & RESULTS

UNIT SPECIFIC
MASS MASS DENSITY SPECIFIC WEIGHT VOLUME VOLUME
LIQUID OF OF OF GRAVITY OF OF OF
LIQUID LIQUID LIQUID OF LIQUID LIQUID LIQUID
+ (kg) (kg/m3) LIQUID (kN/m3) (m3) (m3/kg)
VESSEL

WATER 53 1000 1 9.81 10 0.001

10

SOY
SAUCE 53 10 1000 1 9.81 10 0.001

KEROSENE 51.1 8.1 810 0.81 7.95 10 0.00123

VINEGAR 53.5 10.5 1050 1.05 10.30 10 0.000952

FISH
SAUCE 55 12 1200 1.2 11.77 10 0.000833

GASOLINE
51 8 800 0.8 7.85 10 0.00125
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

ENGINE
OIL 50.5 7.5 750 0.75 7.36 10 0.00133

DIESEL 9 900 0.9 8.83 10 0.00111

52

UNLEADED
GAS 51.5 8.5 850 0.85 8.34 10 0.00118

COOKING
OIL 51.5 8.5 850 0.85 8.34 10 0.00118
Table 1.2 Fluid Properties Using Metric System of Unit

VI. COMPUTATIONS

Liquid Density Specific Gravity

Water Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 1000 𝑚3
Mass of graduated cylinder with = =1
water= 53 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 1000 𝑘𝑔
𝑚3
Mass of water= 10 g
Volume of water= 10 cm3

1 𝑘𝑔
10 𝑔 × 1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 ×
(1000 𝑐𝑚)3
= 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Soy sauce Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑠𝑜𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 1000 𝑚3
Mass of graduated cylinder with soy = =1
sauce= 53 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
Mass of soy sauce= 10 g
Volume of soy sauce= 10 cm 3
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

1 𝑘𝑔
10 𝑔 × 1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 × (
1000 𝑐𝑚)3
= 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Vinegar Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 810 3
Mass of graduated cylinder with = 𝑚 = 0.81
vinegar= 53.5 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
Mass of vinegar= 10.5 g
Volume of vinegar= 10 cm 3

1 𝑘𝑔
10.5 𝑔 ×
1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 × (
1000 𝑐𝑚)3
= 1050 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Fish sauce Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑟 1050 𝑚3
Mass of graduated cylinder with fish = = 1.05
sauce= 55 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
Mass of fish sauce= 12 g
Volume of fish sauce= 10 cm 3

1 𝑘𝑔
12 𝑔 × 1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 × (
1000 𝑐𝑚)3
= 1200 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Kerosene Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑠𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 1200 𝑚3
Mass of graduated cylinder with = = 1.2
kerosene= 51.1 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
Mass of kerosene= 8.1 g
Volume of kerosene = 10 cm 3
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

1 𝑘𝑔
8.1 𝑔 × 1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 × (
1000 𝑐𝑚)3
3
= 810 𝑘𝑔/𝑚

Gasoline Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 800 3
Mass of graduated cylinder with = 𝑚 = 0.8
gasoline= 51 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
Mass of gasoline= 8 g
Volume of gasoline = 10 cm3

1 𝑘𝑔
8𝑔 ×
1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 × (
1000 𝑐𝑚)3
3
= 800 𝑘𝑔/𝑚

Gasoline Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑖𝑙 750 3
Engine Oil Mass of graduated cylinder with = 𝑚 = 0.75
gasoline engine oil= 50.5 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
Mass of gasoline engine oil= 7.5 g
Volume of gasoline engine oil= 10
cm3

1 𝑘𝑔
7.5 𝑔 × 1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 × (
1000 𝑐𝑚)3
= 750 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Diesel Engine Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 900 3
Oil Mass of graduated cylinder with = 𝑚 = 0.9
diesel engine oil= 52 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 1000 𝑘𝑔
𝑚3
Mass of diesel engine oil= 9 g
Volume of diesel engine oil= 10 cm3
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

1 𝑘𝑔
9 𝑔 × 1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 × (
1000 𝑐𝑚)3
3
= 900 𝑘𝑔/𝑚

Unleaded Gas Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑢𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 850 3
Mass of graduated cylinder with = 𝑚 = 0.85
unleaded engine oil= 51.5 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
Mass of unleaded gas= 8.5 g
Volume of unleaded gas=10 cm 3

1 𝑘𝑔
8.5 𝑔 ×
1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 × (
1000 𝑐𝑚)3
3
= 850 𝑘𝑔/𝑚

Cooking Oil Mass of graduated cylinder= 43 g 𝑘𝑔

𝜌𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑖𝑙 850 3
Mass of graduated cylinder with = 𝑚
cooking oil = 51.5 g 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
= 0.85
Mass of water= 8.5 g
Volume of water=10 cm3

1 𝑘𝑔
8.5 𝑔 × 1000 𝑔
𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(1 𝑚 )3
10 𝑐𝑚3 ×
(1000 𝑐𝑚)3
= 850 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
Table 1.3 Computation of Density and S.G.
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

Liquid Unit Weight Specific Volume

Water 1000𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1 1

𝛾𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = × 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = =
𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1𝐾𝑁 1000
𝑚3
× = 1 × 10−3 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
1000𝑁
= 9.81 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3
Soy Sauce 1000𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1 1
𝛾𝑠𝑜𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 = × 𝑆𝑜𝑦 𝑆𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 = =
𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌𝑠𝑜𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑘𝑔
1𝐾𝑁 1000 3
𝑚
× = 1 × 10−3 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
1000𝑁
= 9.81 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3
Kerosene 810𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1 1
𝛾𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 = × 𝐾𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 = =
𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑒 𝑘𝑔
1𝐾𝑁 810
𝑚3
× = 1.23 × 10 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
−3
1000𝑁
= 7.95 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3
Vinegar 1050𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1 1
𝛾𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑟 = × 𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑟 = =
𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑟 𝑘𝑔
1𝐾𝑁 1050
𝑚3
× = 9.52 × 10−4 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
1000𝑁
= 10.30 𝐾𝑁 ⁄𝑚3
Fish Sauce 1200𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1 1
𝛾𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑠𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 = × 𝐹𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 = =
𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑘𝑔
1𝐾𝑁 1200 3
𝑚
× = 8.33 × 10−4 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
1000𝑁
= 11.77 𝐾𝑁 ⁄𝑚3
Gasoline 800𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1 1
𝛾𝑔𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 = × 𝐺𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 = =
𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑘𝑔
1𝐾𝑁 800
𝑚3
× = 1.25 × 10 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
−3
1000𝑁
= 7.85 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3
Gasoline 750𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1
𝛾𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑖𝑙 = × 𝐺𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑂𝑖𝑙 =
Engine Oil 𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑂𝑖𝑙
1𝐾𝑁 1
× =
1000𝑁 𝑘𝑔
= 7.36 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3 750
𝑚3
= 1.33 × 10−3 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

Diesel 900𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1

𝛾𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 = × 𝐷𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑂𝑖𝑙 =
Engine Oil 𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙
1𝐾𝑁 1
× =
1000𝑁 𝑘𝑔
= 8.83 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3 900
𝑚3
= 1.11 × 10−3 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
Unleaded 850𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1
𝛾𝑢𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 = × 𝑈𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝐺𝑎𝑠 =
Gas 𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌 𝑢𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑔𝑎𝑠
1𝐾𝑁 1
× =
1000𝑁 𝑘𝑔
= 8.34 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3 850 3
𝑚
= 1.18 × 10−3 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
Cooking Oil 850𝑘𝑔 9.81𝑚 1 1
𝛾𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑖𝑙 = × 𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑂𝑖𝑙 = =
𝑚3 𝑠2 𝜌 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑘𝑔
1𝐾𝑁 850 3
𝑚
× = 1.18 × 10−3 𝑚3 ⁄𝑘𝑔
1000𝑁
= 8.34 𝐾𝑁⁄𝑚3
Table 1.4 Computation of Unit Weight & Specific Volume.

VII. DRAWING

Figure 1.1 Triple beam balance weighing a beaker with a known

volume of fluid.
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

VIII. OBSERVATION & CONCLUSION

This experiment was performed to see how fluids differ when it comes to
their properties. Properties of fluids determine how fluids can be used in
engineering and technology. They also determine the behavior of fluids
in fluid mechanics. Some of the important basic properties of fluids are:
Density, specific gravity, specific weight and specific volume. Density is
the measure of mass per unit volume and is denoted by the symbol, ρ.
This measurement allows Newton’s Second Law to be applied to fluids
on a “per unit volume” basis. Density of a fluid decreases with increase
in temperature and it increases with increase in pressure. Specific gravity
is the ratio of specific weight of the given fluid to the specific weight of
standard fluid. It is denoted by the letter ‘S’ and it has no unit. Specific
gravity may also be defined as the ratio between the density of the
given fluid to the density of standard fluid. Specific volume is the volume
of a fluid (V) occupied per unit mass (m). It is the reciprocal of density.
Specific volume is denoted by the symbol ‘v’. Its unit is m 3/kg. Specific
weight on the other hand, is the weight possessed by unit volume of a
fluid. It is denoted by ‘w’. Its unit is N/m 3. Specific weight varies from
place to place due to the change of acceleration due to gravity (g).

The mass of the object is generally measured by a balance or scale, as

where volume can be measured by water displacement, or by simply
calculating it using the objects parameters. These fluid properties can be
seen in daily life since everything has density and every fluid has a
specific gravity, unit weight and specific volume. The reason for
completing this experiment was to learn how to calculate these fluid
properties and to gain a better knowledge on measuring them
accurately. Knowing how density and other properties work is important
for flotation, mixing of materials, fluid dynamics, and many other real
world cases one might come into contact with.
 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

IX. CURVES

Density of Fluids
1400
1200
1200
1050
1000 1000
1000 900
810 850 850
800
800 750

600

400

200

0
Water Soy Sauce Kerosene Vinegar Fish Gasoline Engine Oil Diesel Unleaded Cooking
Sauce Gas Oil

Density

Figure 1.2 Bar graph representation of density of different fluids (kg/ m3 )

 National University
551 MF Jhocson Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Department of Civil Engineering
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

X. PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
Figure 1.3 Actual performance of laboratory experiment

The set of instrument used in the Most of the fluids used are
experiment commonly found in a household

Weighing a cylinder with vinegar Weighing a cylinder with oil

Cooking
Water Soy Sauce Vinegar Fish Sauce
oil

Unleaded Gasoline Diesel

Kerosene Gas
Engine oil oil Engine Oil