Two cylindrical vessels of equal cross sectional area of 2~m²$2\mathrm{~m}^{2}$ contain water upto height 10~m$10\mathrm{~m}$ and 6~m$6\mathrm{~m}$, respectively. If the vessels are connected at their bottom then the work done by the force of gravity is :
(Density of water is 10³~kg/m³$10^{3}\mathrm{~kg/m}^{3}$ and g=10~m/s²$g=10\mathrm{~m/s}^{2}$)
A.1 × 10⁵~J$1 \times 10^{5}\mathrm{~J}$
B.4 × 10⁴~J$4 \times 10^{4}\mathrm{~J}$
C.6 × 10⁴~J$6 \times 10^{4}\mathrm{~J}$
D.8 × 10⁴~J$8 \times 10^{4}\mathrm{~J}$
Solution & Explanation
Related Formula
The gravitational potential energy U$U$ of a liquid column of mass m$m$ and height h$h$ is evaluated relative to its bottom by placing its total mass at its center of mass (h/2$h/2$):
U = m g ((h)/(2)) = (ρ A h) g ((h)/(2)) = (1)/(2) ρ A g h²$$U = m g \left(\frac{h}{2}\right) = (\rho A h) g \left(\frac{h}{2}\right) = \frac{1}{2} \rho A g h^2$$
Work done by the force of gravity (W$W$) equals the negative change in potential energy:
W = -Δ U = Uᵢ - Uf$$W = -\Delta U = U_i - U_f$$
Core Logic
Since the vessels are identical and connected at the bottom, water flows from the higher column to the lower one until their final heights equalize at:
Step 1: Calculate Initial Potential Energy (Uᵢ$U_i$)
Let the reference level U=0$U=0$ be at the bottom:
Uᵢ = U₁ + U₂ = (1)/(2) ρ A g h₁² + (1)/(2) ρ A g h₂²$$U_i = U_1 + U_2 = \frac{1}{2} \rho A g h_1^2 + \frac{1}{2} \rho A g h_2^2$$Uᵢ = (1)/(2) ρ A g (10² + 6²) = (1)/(2) ρ A g (100 + 36) = 68 ρ A g$$U_i = \frac{1}{2} \rho A g \left(10^2 + 6^2\right) = \frac{1}{2} \rho A g (100 + 36) = 68 \rho A g$$
Work Done by Gravity in Connecting Vessels
Step 2: Calculate Final Potential Energy (Uf$U_f$)
Both vessels equalize to hf = 8~m$h_f = 8\mathrm{~m}$:
Uf = 2 × [ (1)/(2) ρ A g hf² ] = ρ A g (8²) = 64 ρ A g$$U_f = 2 \times \left[ \frac{1}{2} \rho A g h_f^2 \right] = \rho A g (8^2) = 64 \rho A g$$
Step 3: Work Done by Gravity (W$W$)
W = Uᵢ - Uf = 68 ρ A g - 64 ρ A g = 4 ρ A g$$W = U_i - U_f = 68 \rho A g - 64 \rho A g = 4 \rho A g$$
Substitute the given values (ho = 10³~kg/m³$
ho = 10^3\mathrm{~kg/m}^3$, A = 2~m²$A = 2\mathrm{~m}^2$, g = 10~m/s²$g = 10\mathrm{~m/s}^2$):
For leveling liquids between two identical connected columns, the shift in center of mass always simplifies. The loss in potential energy is given by
$
Pattern Recognition
For leveling liquids between two identical connected columns, the shift in center of mass always simplifies. The loss in potential energy is given by $
\Delta U = \frac{1}{4} \rho A g (h_1 - h_2)^2. Applying this directly:$. Applying this directly:
$Δ U = (1)/(4) × 10³ × 2 × 10 × (10 - 6)² = 5000 × 16 = 8 × 10⁴~J$\Delta U = \frac{1}{4} \times 10^3 \times 2 \times 10 \times (10 - 6)^2 = 5000 \times 16 = 8 \times 10^4\mathrm{~J}$$
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
More Mechanical Properties of Fluids Previous-Year Questions — Page 6
Qjee_main_2024_29_january_eveningSurface Tension
A small liquid drop of radius R$R$ is divided into 27$27$ identical liquid drops. If the surface tension is T$T$, then the work done in the process will be:
A.8π R² T$8\pi R^2 T$
B.3π R² T$3\pi R^2 T$
C.(1)/(8)π R² T$\frac{1}{8}\pi R^2 T$
D.4π R² T$4\pi R^2 T$
Solution
Related Formula
The work done in changing the surface area of a liquid is given by:
W = T · Δ A$$W = T \cdot \Delta A$$
where:
T$T$ is the surface tension of the liquid.
Δ A = Af - Aᵢ$\Delta A = A_f - A_i$ is the change in the total surface area.
Core Logic
Since the total volume remains constant during splitting:
Δ A = Af - Aᵢ = 12π R² - 4π R² = 8π R²$$\Delta A = A_f - A_i = 12\pi R^2 - 4\pi R^2 = 8\pi R^2$$
Step 2: Calculate Work Done
Substituting the change in area into the work done formula:
W = T · Δ A = 8π R² T$$W = T \cdot \Delta A = 8\pi R^2 T$$
Pattern Recognition
For splitting a large drop of radius R$R$ into n$n$ identical small drops, the change in surface area is given by Δ A = 4π R² (n1/3 - 1)$\Delta A = 4\pi R^2 (n^{1/3} - 1)$. Substituting n = 27$n = 27$ gives Δ A = 4π R² (3 - 1) = 8π R²$\Delta A = 4\pi R^2 (3 - 1) = 8\pi R^2$, leading immediately to 8π R² T$8\pi R^2 T$.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
Q32jee_main_2024_27_jan_morningViscosity and Surface Tension
Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Viscosity of gases is greater than that of liquids.
Statement (II): Surface tension of a liquid decreases due to the presence of insoluble impurities.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
A.Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect$\text{Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect}$
B.Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct$\text{Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct}$
C.Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect$\text{Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect}$
D.Both Statement I and Statement II are correct$\text{Both Statement I and Statement II are correct}$
Solution
Core Logic
Statement (I): Liquids have much stronger intermolecular forces compared to gases, leading to significantly higher viscosity in liquids than in gases. Thus, Statement I is incorrect.
Statement (II): The presence of insoluble impurities (like soap or detergents) disrupts the cohesive forces between liquid molecules at the surface, which decreases the surface tension. Thus, Statement II is correct.
Pattern Recognition
Viscosity in liquids decreases with temperature, whereas in gases it increases with temperature due to molecular collisions. Insoluble impurities act as surface-active agents that lower surface tension cohesive stability.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
Q33jee_main_2024_29_jan_morningSurface Tension and Capillarity
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: If a capillary tube is immersed first in cold water and then in hot water, the height of capillary rise will be smaller in hot water.
Statement II: If a capillary tube is immersed first in cold water and then in hot water, the height of capillary rise will be smaller in cold water.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate from the options given below:
Remember the key physical dependence: Temperature Up $\implies$ Surface Tension Down $\implies$ Capillary Rise Down. This basic trend of cohesive/adhesive properties versus thermal energy frequently appears in competitive conceptual physical chemistry/fluid physics questions.
In a test experiment on a model aeroplane in wind tunnel, the flow speeds on the upper and lower surfaces of the wings are 70~ms⁻¹$70~\mathrm{ms}^{-1}$ and 65~ms⁻¹$65~\mathrm{ms}^{-1}$ respectively. If the wing area is 2~m²$2~\mathrm{m}^2$ the lift of the wing is ________ N. (Given density of air = 1.2~kg m⁻³$= 1.2~\mathrm{kg}\,\mathrm{m}^{-3}$)
Numerical Answer.Answer: 810 to 810
Solution
Related Formula
From Bernoulli's Principle (ignoring small height differences across the wing thickness):
Therefore, the net lift force on the wing is 810 ~N$810 \mathrm{~N}$.
Pattern Recognition
Use the algebraic difference of squares shortcut a² - b² = (a-b)(a+b)$a^2 - b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)$ to solve velocity square differences quickly: 70² - 65² = (70-65)(70+65) = 5 × 135 = 675$70^2 - 65^2 = (70-65)(70+65) = 5 \times 135 = 675$, bypassing squaring heavy multi-digit calculations.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
Q52jee_main_2024_30_january_eveningSurface Energy of Drops
A big drop is formed by coalescing 1000$1000$ small identical drops of water. If E₁$\mathrm{E}_1$ be the total surface energy of 1000$1000$ small drops of water and E₂$\mathrm{E}_2$ be the surface energy of single big drop of water, the E₁:E₂$\mathrm{E}_1:\mathrm{E}_2$ is x:1$x:1$ where x =$x =$
Thus, the ratio is 10:1$10:1$, which means x = 10$x = 10$.
Pattern Recognition
When N$N$ droplets merge to form one big drop, the radius scales as R = N1/3 r$R = N^{1/3} r$. The ratio of total initial surface energy to final surface energy is N1/3$N^{1/3}$.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
More Mechanical Properties of Fluids Questions — jee_main_2025_03_april_evening
Practice past-year questions one chapter at a time. Pick an exam → subject → chapter and get every PYQ for that topic — pulled together from all past papers — with the chapter's key formulas alongside.