Manometry: Interactive Simulation
This simulation is browser-based and will work directly on this page. Try to predict the behavior when a parameter changes before using a slider to change that parameter.
Simulation: Manometers
In this demonstration, the pressure on a fluid is measured using a piezometer, a U-tube manometer, and an inclined-tube manometer. Use the buttons to select the type of manometer and the manometer fluid (water, oil, or mercury). You can change the pressure on the manometer fluid and the angle of the inclined manometer with the sliders.
Try to answer these questions before determining the answer with the simulation. We suggest that you write down the reasons for your answers.
- If the pressure difference is doubled, what happens to the height of fluid in a piezometer tube? A U-tube manometer?
- Does the height of fluid increase, decrease, or stay the same when the fluid is changed from water to mercury? When the fluid is changed from water to oil?
- Using what you know about manometers, derive an equation for an inclined piezometer tube attached to a storage tank. Calculate the distance reading if the storage tank is full of water, the pressure difference between a point in the tank and atmospheric pressure is 2 kPa, and the angle of incline is 7.5°. Check your distance reading with the simulation.
- When the angle of incline is increased in an inclined piezometer tube, does the distance reading increase, decrease, or stay the same?