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Mechanics of Fluids

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In a pressure transducer the pressure <strong>of</strong> the fluid acts at one side <strong>of</strong> a thin<br />

diaphragm; movements <strong>of</strong> the diaphragm caused by changes <strong>of</strong> pressure are<br />

indicated by an electrical strain gauge on the diaphragm. Alternatively, the<br />

change <strong>of</strong> electrical capacitance between the moving diaphragm and a fixed<br />

plate may be measured.<br />

2.4 FIRST AND SECOND MOMENTS OF AREA<br />

In the calculation <strong>of</strong> hydrostatic thrusts on submerged surfaces, first and<br />

second moments <strong>of</strong> area are <strong>of</strong> fundamental importance. These topics will<br />

be addressed prior to the discussion <strong>of</strong> hydrostatic thrusts.<br />

2.4.1 First moments and centroids<br />

Figure 2.13 shows a plane area A <strong>of</strong> which an infinitesimal element is δA.<br />

The first moment <strong>of</strong> the elemental area δA about an axis in the plane is<br />

defined as the product <strong>of</strong> δA and its perpendicular distance from that axis.<br />

Consequently the first moment <strong>of</strong> the elemental area about the y-axis is given<br />

by xδA and the first moment <strong>of</strong> the entire area about the y-axis is therefore<br />

∫A xdA. (The symbol ∫A indicates that the integration is performed over<br />

the entire area.) Since individual values <strong>of</strong> x may be positive or negative<br />

according as the element is to the right or left <strong>of</strong> the y-axis, so the integral<br />

may be positive or negative or zero. The first moment <strong>of</strong> area about an axis<br />

at x = k is ∫A(x − k)dA = ∫A xdA − kA. This moment is zero when<br />

k = 1<br />

�<br />

xdA = x (2.12)<br />

A<br />

A<br />

and the axis is then known as a centroidal axis.<br />

Similarly, moments may be taken about the x-axis, and another centroidal<br />

axis is then found at<br />

y = y = 1<br />

�<br />

ydA (2.13)<br />

A A<br />

First and second moments <strong>of</strong> area 57<br />

Fig. 2.13

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