A Shot Under Pressure
Students use their understanding of projectile physics and fluid dynamics to find the water pressure in water guns. By measuring the range of the water jets, they are able to calculate the theoretical pressure. Students create graphs to analyze how the predicted pressure relates to the number of times they pump the water gun before shooting.
Engineers can predict just where the water will squirt you in this fun water playground.Copyright City of Heath, Ohio http://www.heathohio.gov/images/cohgov/Parks/WaterPark.jpg
When engineers design water amusement park rides, water fountains, or anything that involves shooting water, they use a similar modeling process to determine where water jets will land; this ensures the safety and best experience for its users. More generally, Bernoulli's equation is used by any engineer working with fluids. For example, biomedical engineers use this principle to model the flow and pressure of bodily fluids, and civil engineers use it to determine the size of pipes needed to get water to people's homes and workplaces, or run industrial processes.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Use projectile motion physics to determine the initial velocity of a projectile launched horizontally.
- Use Bernoulli's equation to find the pressure of a fluid.
- Collect, record and analyze data to determine relationships among variables.