Closed cylindrical vessel completely filled and rotating about its vertical axis: What is the total resultant pressure on the top circular cover (radius r) due to rotation at angular speed ω, for a liquid of specific weight w?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: (w * π * ω^2 * r^4) / (4 * g)

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
When a completely filled cylindrical vessel rotates as a solid body about its vertical axis, the liquid develops a radial pressure variation. Even though there is no free surface at the top, the pressure at the top cover increases with radius, producing a net resultant force on the cover.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Liquid of specific weight w (so density ρ = w / g).
  • Angular speed ω (rad/s), radius r.
  • Solid-body rotation; neglect end effects.


Concept / Approach:
In solid-body rotation, radial equilibrium gives dp/dr = ρ * ω^2 * r. Integrate from the axis to radius r to obtain pressure rise relative to the axis: Δp(r) = (1/2) * ρ * ω^2 * r^2. The resultant on the circular top is the area integral of Δp over the disk area, giving a closed-form expression proportional to r^4.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Δp(r) = (1/2) * ρ * ω^2 * r^2 = (1/2) * (w/g) * ω^2 * r^2Total force F = ∬ Δp dA = ∫(0→r) Δp(ρ) * (2 * π * ρ) dρF = ∫(0→r) (1/2) * (w/g) * ω^2 * ρ^2 * (2 * π * ρ) dρ = (w * π * ω^2 / g) * ∫(0→r) ρ^3 dρF = (w * π * ω^2 / g) * (r^4 / 4) = (w * π * ω^2 * r^4) / (4 * g)


Verification / Alternative check:
Dimension check: w has units N/m^3, ω^2 r^4 / g gives m, multiplied by π yields N, consistent with force (total pressure resultant).


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • π * r^2 * (w * ω^2 * r^2) / (2 * g): Uses edge pressure as uniform—incorrect; average over the area is half of the edge value.
  • (w * ω^2 * r^3) / g: Wrong power of r and missing π factor.
  • (π * w * ω * r^4) / (2 * g): Uses ω instead of ω^2 and wrong constant.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming uniform pressure equal to rim value; forgetting that pressure varies with r^2, making the average half the edge value and leading to the r^4 dependence after integration.


Final Answer:
(w * π * ω^2 * r^4) / (4 * g)

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