The Fluid Properties and Hydrostatics Bench is designed to demonstrate the properties of fluids and their behaviour under hydrostatic conditions (fluid at rest).

The equipment is mounted on a steel-framed bench fitted with castors. A variety of measuring devices is incorporated, either fastened to the back of the bench or free-standing.

The water can be transferred by two positive displacement hand pumps, either to an elevated open storage tank connected to a number of glass tubes for free surface studies, or to a plastic sink recessed into the working surface so that benchtop experiments may be conducted without spillage.

Water is stored in a polythene tank situated on the lower shelf of the bench.

This enables students to develop an understanding and knowledge of a wide range of fundamental principles and techniques, before studying fluids in motion.

All excess water is returned to the storage tank via the sink drain.

Demonstration Capabilities:

The provision of practical instruction exercises demonstrating the principles of fluid mechanics, in  particular:

Understanding the properties of fluids:

Observing the effects of capillarity

Determining the density, specific gravity and viscosity of different liquids

Understanding the effects of static pressure:

Studying the relationship between intensity of liquid pressure and depths

Determining the position of the centre of pressure on a plane surface

Studying the effect of flow on a free surface

Measuring changes in liquid level

Demonstrating that the free surface of a static liquid is horizontal

Studying the operation and application of pressure gauges and manometers:

Measuring air and water pressure using manometers

Comparing results obtained from various devices

Using a direct reading mercury barometer (mercury not supplied).