Description:

The Centre of Pressure Lab Apparatus has been designed to demonstrate the static thrust exerted by a fluid on a submerged surface and analyze the magnitude and position of the force hence exerted.

A metal quadrant with potential energy is rested on a balance arm, which is pivoted on knife-edges. The knife-edges are designed to coincide with the centre of arc of the quadrant. Hence the hydrostatic force is acting on the quadrant when completely immersed in fluid. Only the force exerted on the rectangular end face gives rise to a momentum at the knife-edges. A balance pan is placed on the balance arm for placing the weights and hence adjusting the counterbalance. This arrangement is fitted on top of an acrylic tank, which may be leveled by adjusting the screwed feet. An indicator provided on the side of the tank signals when the balance arm is horizontal. Water is injected at the top of the tank by a flexible tube and can be drained through a drain pipe provided on the side of the tank. Water level is displayed on a scale provided on the side of the quadrant.