Day 21: Breaking the Fluid Dynamics Model

Today in AP Physics 2, we tied up some loose ends related to fluids before starting thermodynamics. When students performed the lab practicum a couple of days ago, almost all of them placed the cup too far away despite accurate measurements and an accurate computational model. I took this opportunity for us as a class to discuss what sources of error may have been present. When discussing a loss of energy as the stream exits the bottle, I shared a journal article from The Physics Teacher: “Determining the Coefficient of Discharge for a Draining Container.” This article was a great way to finish the fluids unit in that it was accessible to the students and demonstrated the limitations of our fluid dynamics model.

  ##fluids ##practicumlab  

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